Barty lights up Australia with victory over Collins
Ash Barty really didn’t know how to react to this drought-breaking triumph. The usually so reserved and understated champion just let it all out, yelling “Yes ... yes!”
A quick walk to the net to congratulate the Australian Open runner-up, 28-year-old American Danielle Collins. Yes, that restored some sense of order. Back onto Rod Laver Arena to scream out again: “Yes ... yes!”
It had been 44 years since an Australian won a singles title at the Australian Open. So no need to keep a lid on the celebrations.
Barty knew what to do when she saw who presented the trophy. Her mentor, the Indigenous and Australian tennis icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley, handed it over to the next generation star with Indigenous heritage. Instinct kicked in for Barty. It was a big, loving hug.
The world’s No. 1 player recovered from 5-1 down in the second set to beat Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the final Saturday night in Melbourne, becoming the first Australian to win the Australian Open women’s singles championship since Chris O’Neil in 1978.
“It was a little bit surreal,” Barty, 25, said. “I didn’t quite know what to do or what to feel — just being able to let out a little bit of emotion, which is a little bit unusual for me, and being able to celebrate with everyone who was there in the crowd, the energy was incredible.”
GOLF
List defeats Zalatoris in playoff
Luke List earned his first PGA Tour victory with a birdie on the first playoff hole, holding off Will Zalatoris well after sunset to win the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego. List began the final round five shots behind leaders Zalatoris and Jason Day but made seven birdies in a 6-under 66. Zalatoris missed the chance to secure his own first career victory when he barely missed an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th.
◆ Lydia Ko handled the chill and wind for two-shot lead over Danielle Kang in the Gainbridge LPGA in Boca Raton, Florida.
HOCKEY
Wolves fall to IceHogs 1-0 in shootout
Rookie goalie Jack LaFontaine earned his first pro shutout, but not his first victory, as the Rockford IceHogs earned a 1-0 win over the first-place Wolves (25-7-4-2) in a shootout at Allstate Arena. The IceHogs’ Michal Teply and the Wolves’ Stefan Noesen scored in the first round before Lukas Reichel registered the game-winner in the second round.