SUMMER OF TENNIS
ASH BARTY is unconcerned with how many wins she stacks up before the Australian Open, adamant that isn’t a factor in whether or not she achieves grand slam success.
Australia’s world No.1 avoided a first-up loss in Adelaide on Wednesday night with a comeback over American Coco Gauff 4-6 7-5 6-1.
It was Barty’s first competitive match since her third-round defeat at the US Open in September.
She has dominated Open lead-in events in the past four years, winning titles in Melbourne and Adelaide and making at least a final.
The 25-year-old is also entered in next week’s
Sydney Tennis Classic.
“I’ve learnt along the way that all of the lead-ins are unique,” she said.
“Sometimes when we’re feeling the best and probably the most prepared, the outcome and the result isn’t always what we wanted.
“Other times, you feel completely underdone and unsure of what to expect and the best results come.
“So, think I’ve just learnt along the way just to take every day as it comes and prepare as we’re preparing, do what we can and we know that a grand slam is just another event.”
Barty added two warm-up events was more about wanting to maximise her opportunities to play at home.
Her quarter-final opponent will be the winner of Thursday night’s clash between fellow Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
“The first match of the year is always a tricky one – you’re a little bit unsure of how you’re going to play and how you’re going to get into that flow of matches,” Barty said.
“It is very different under match conditions, but we were happy with the level (against Gauff).”
Australia’s Priscilla Hon reaches for a forehand against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (below) at the Adelaide International. Picture: Getty Images “I was meant to know this afternoon, but I’m the same (as everyone else) – can someone just tell me what I’m doing?” she said with a grin.
The Adelaide quarter-final field is almost set, with defending champion and fifth seed Iga Swiatek and Japan’s Misaki Doi joining Azarenka in advancing.
Swiatek made short work of US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez in a 6-1 6-2 thrashing, while Doi overcame Anastasia Gasanova 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
Azarenka and Swiatek will play a blockbuster lasteight clash that will provide a gauge of where both are at ahead of the Australian Open.