Ash seeing double now
ASHLEIGH Barty has shifted her focus to doubles after having her US Open tennis singles campaign abruptly halted in New York yesterday.
Barty rued an opportunity lost after 2016 finalist Karolina Pliskova showed her class in a 6-4, 6-4 fourth-round victory despite being under pressure for much of the match.
Barty won just about everywhere but on the scoreboard, striking 29 winners to Pliskova’s 16, out-aceing the Czech six to four, winning more points in total and offering up only two break points on serve.
Tellingly, Australia’s 18th seed was unable to capitalise on any of eight break-point chances, while Pliskova converted her only two in the onehour and 24-minute win.
“It’s disappointing because I know that wasn’t my best tennis today that I’ve played across the past month,” the Queenslander said. “But she did play the big points better.”
Eighth seed Pliskova will face resurgent six-time champion Serena Williams in the quarter-finals.