DOUBLE DELIGHT

BARTY BETTER THAN EVER

EXHAUSTED after the finest week of her career, Ashleigh Barty emerged from Birmingham with two trophies and something even more important — validation.

Beaten by resurgent Petra Kvitova in the singles final, Barty regrouped after a short break to notch a third doubles title for the season with Casey Dellacqua.

“Yeah, it’s really exciting how things are going,” the Queenslander said after dual Wimbledon champion and world No.16 Kvitova edged to a tense 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. “We’re really pleased with how the week has gone … it’s just great to be playing well against quality opposition.”

Given only 30 minutes to rest after a torrid battle at Edgbaston’s Priory Club, Barty teamed with Dellacqua to forge a 6-1, 2-6, 10-8 win over Chan Hao-Ching and Zhang Shuai.

Kvitova rose to No.11 after claiming her 20th career crown in only her second tournament since returning from a six-month absence after she was stabbed at her apartment.

The Czech praised Barty’s unorthodox blend of silken touch and heavy power.

“I think that she played great, I have to say, because she has a totally different game compared to other girls,” Kvitova said.

“She’s playing very nicely … with her slice and how she’s seeing the game, it’s something really unusual.”