BARTY ON SONG FOR OPEN
ASHLEIGH Barty hopes to ride her summer wave all the way to the second week of the Australian Open after arriving in Melbourne enjoying a career-high ranking and Grand Slam seeding for the first time.
Buoyed by her charge to the Sydney International final, Barty believes she can cause some serious damage after reeling off four straight wins before falling to revitalised 2016 Open champion Angelique Kerber on Saturday night.
“It was a hell of a week, perfect preparation for next week,” Barty said.
“I feel like, if I play like that, I’ll probably beat most of the people in the draw.
“I’d certainly love to play my best tennis and have my best run in a Grand Slam here.”
Barty insists she’s not feeling any pressure to deliver despite carrying the hopes of success-starved fans desperate to see a first homegrown women’s Open champion since Chris O’Neill 40 years ago.
“It’s just pure excitement,” she said. “I think all the Aussies really love playing at home.
“There’s nothing better than walking out on to an Australian Open court with the crowd behind you.”
A third-round casualty last year, Barty is up against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka tomorrow before a potential second-round match-up with Sydney semi-finalist Camila Giorgi.
Formidably, world No.1 Simona Halep could await in the fourth round.
But Barty’s run in Sydney has filled her with confidence and sent her back to world No.17, level with top-ranked Australian man Nick Kyrgios.