BARTY BREEZES THROUGH

ASHLEIGH Barty is on the cusp of a career-best Wimbledon showing after steaming into the third round.

Posting her 14th consecutive win, Barty made light work of Alison van Uytvanck, destroying the dangerous Belgian 6-1, 6-3 in 55 minutes.

“Really clean match, the only blemish was at the end, trying to serve it out,” the French Open champion said.

“I knew I had to have my running shoes on today. Happy with the way everything went.”

It was a typically neat display from Barty, featuring 14 winners, only seven unforced errors and no double faults.

The world No 1 has only once before reached the third round at the All England Club and now has a chance to go deep into the second week.

Barty faces unseeded opposition in the third round on Saturday, either Brit wildcard Harriet Dart or Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Dart is ranked No.170 in the world. Haddad Maia, who lost in qualifying but got a second chance because of injury to another player, is ranked No.121.

Barty’s best is typified by fast starts and the ability to dictate rallies from the baseline and she did precisely that as she raced to a 5-0 opening.

The Queenslander kept van Uytvanck at bay with devastating winners. Untroubled on serve, Barty secured the first set in 25 minutes.

Maintaining impetus in the second, Barty drew a break in the third game as van Uytvanck made four unforced errors.

Barty rolled to 5-1 after claiming a break and served for the match at 5-2, only to stumble for the first time in the contest. The unflappable No.1 immediately responded to clinch the contest.

Aussie John Millman easily disposed of Serbian Laslo Dere 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.