Rogers wants revenge on Ash

No Barty Party in support

TEN days after being beaten in a super tie-breaker during the Yarra Valley Classic, unseeded American Shelby Rogers says she is primed for another crack at world No.1 Ash Barty.

The pair will meet in the fourth round of the Australian Open today, after Rogers admitted Barty “kicked my butt a little bit” with a 7-5, 2-6 (10-4) triumph in the quarter-final of the lead-up event.

That was just the second time Barty and Rogers had faced off, after also meeting in the 2017 Australian Open.

Barty won the secondround match on that occasion, 7-5, 6-1.

“I’m excited to get another shot,” Rogers said.

“Unfortunately fans won’t be there.

“But maybe that’s in my favour this time. The Barty Party won’t be present.

“I’m excited again to play the best players in the world. That’s what we all strive to do every day and you’ve got to beat the best to be the best.”

Rogers, the world No.57, overcame 21st seed Anett Kontaveit in straight sets on Saturday to progress to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for just the third time in her career.

However, playing a fit and in-form Barty in her home grand slam shapes as arguably the biggest challenge in women’s tennis.

The Australian cruised through her own third-round match against 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday and again played down a lingering leg injury which saw her withdraw from the doubles competition.

Barty completed some practice at Melbourne Park on Sunday without strapping on again, the

her sore left some bruising.

“We are doing all the right things to make it as good as possible,” Barty said of the injury on Saturday night.

“It won’t affect me at all. I’ll be ready to go no matter what.”

Barty said the lack of a supportive home crowd “doesn’t change” how she went about her game on court and she was preparing for an “exceptionally tough” match against Rogers.

“She’s got the ability to take the game away from you,” Barty said.

“That’s something I’m going to have to try and nullify and neutralise as best I can. At times it will be me scrapping and fighting. Other times I will be trying to take the more aggressive option.

“Other times, sometimes you have to almost dangle a carrot in a way where you tempt her to try and take some risks. I’ll have to do that, try all different things, just as I did last week and just as I’ve done every time that I’ve played her.”

leg,

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