Ashleigh Barty was the first player to win four singles titles at a Grand Slam tournament, after she won her third Australian Open title on Saturday. Japan’s Hsieh Su-Wei and Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck also lost in straight sets as Serena Williams continued her dominance of the women’s tennis world No.1 ranking with victory over Angelique Kerber.
The Australian Open is the first major tennis tournament of the year, and it’s been an exciting one so far. The women have had some upsets in recent hours- including two by Ashleigh Barty! However, on day six we’ve seen another big upset with Victoria Azarenka losing to Maria Sakkari in Melbourne.
The “maria sakkari husband” is the first match of the Australian Open. It was a close match, with Ashleigh Barty winning in three sets over Maria Sakkari.
On her path to winning the 2019 French Open, Ashleigh Barty (right) defeated Amanda Anisimova (left) in the semi-finals. It was the Australian’s maiden major championship.
| The dates are January 17th through January 30th. Melbourne Park is the location for this event. |
| Daily radio commentary on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, the Sport website and app, with selected live text comments online; TV highlights from the middle of Saturday. |
With a win against Amanda Anisimova, world number one Ashleigh Barty maintained her quest to become the first Australian Open winner in 44 years.
After a 6-4 6-3 victory over Anisimova, who had earlier defeated reigning champion Naomi Osaka, Barty, 25, is yet to lose a set in Melbourne this fortnight.
In the quarter-finals, Barty will face Jessica Pegula, another American.
Pegula defeated fifth seed Maria Sakkari, while Victoria Azarenka, the two-time winner, was defeated by Barbora Krejcikova.
Sakkari of Greece was defeated 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 by Pegula, a previous quarter-finalist who is seeded 21st.
Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champion, was defeated 6-2 6-2 by Krejcikova, the winner of the French Open.
Madison Keys resumed her excellent form with a win over eighth-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain, and the American will now play fourth-seeded Krejcikova.
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Barty has been shattered, but not defeated.
Since Chris O’Neil won the women’s championship in 1978, Barty is attempting to become the first Australian singles player to win the first Grand Slam of the year.
While 32nd seed Alex de Minaur is still in the men’s draw, the nation’s hopes are heavily pinned on Barty.
The world number one has been in incredible form this year, winning all eight of her singles bouts.
The 25-year-old Queenslander has been dominating in the first four rounds of the Melbourne International after defeating three top-20 players to win the Adelaide International earlier this month.
Anisimova pushed Barty harder than any of her previous three opponents on a raucous Rod Laver Arena.
“The previous two years have been exceptionally difficult for everyone across the globe, and we tennis players have been fortunate enough to keep playing,” said Barty, who has reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the fourth consecutive year.
“Having the fans back gives more to the tennis; playing at home is a lot more fun and pleasurable for me.”
Anisimova, 20, was edged out of a close first set by a solitary break at 3-3, failing to capitalize on her two chances in the fourth and eighth games.
By surviving them, Barty was able to extend her unbroken service streak to 63 games.
However, Anisimova threatened to come back from behind and produce an upset in the opening game of the second set, just like she did against Osaka in the third round.
But Barty, cheered on by a raucous home crowd and watched by 11-time Grand Slam winner Laver, broke back for a 2-1 lead and then won the following four games as Anisimova’s level fell.
Krejcikova had a ‘dream’ match, while Azarenka was hindered by injury.
During her defeat against Barbora Krejcikova, Victoria Azarenka was given a medical timeout for neck treatment.
As a result of Azarenka’s withdrawal, Rafael Nadal is the only previous Australian Open champion left in the men’s or women’s tournament.
During her match against Krejcikova, the Belarussian had a medical break for treatment to her neck.
Along with Barty and Aryna Sabalenka, Czech Krejcikova, who has yet to lose a set at Melbourne Park, is vying for the world number one position.
“She is a champion here, and I really appreciate her,” Krejcikova said of today’s performance.
“It was a dream come true to play on such a beautiful court and against such a champion.”
Keys, a former US Open finalist, thrashed Badosa 6-3 6-1 in only 71 minutes to advance to the quarter-finals.
In the lead-up to the Australian Open, Keys won the Adelaide International 2 championship and is on a 10-match winning run.
Pegula, a compatriot, called her victory against Sakkari her “best match of the year” after outlasting the Greek in the sweltering Melbourne heat.
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