Fed Cup final: Ash Barty wary of threat posed by in-form Kristina Mladenovic as Aussies eye title
The last player to beat Ashleigh Barty before the star embarked on a 15-match winning streak that culminated in French Open glory looms as a huge stumbling block for the Aussies in their Fed Cup final quest.
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Ashleigh Barty has revenge on her mind as she targets Kristina Mladenovic as France’s big danger in this weekend’s Fed Cup final in Perth.
Fresh off successfully defending her season-ending doubles crown in China with Timea Babos and the only Frenchwoman to topple Barty in 2019, Mladenovic looms as a potential heartbreaker for Australia.
A former top-10 singles star who boasts five grand slam titles from 10 finals across women’s and mixed doubles, Mladenovic is certain to carry a full load for the visitors at RAC Arena as Australia eye a first Fed Cup trophy in 45 years.
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The 26-year-old was the last player to beat Australia’s spearhead before Barty embarked on a 15-match winning streak in Europe that culminated in French Open glory and her ascent to world No.1.
Barty hasn’t forgotten the 6-2 6-3 defeat in Rome and is suitably wary of the threat Mladenovic poses in Perth, the scene of the French No.1’s 2017 Hopman Cup title triumph with Richard Gasquet.
“Kiki has the ability to play well in the big moments,” Barty said.
“Obviously she was on a bit of a heater in Shenzhen in doubles and she’s a beautiful doubles player. We’ve seen that time and time again.
“I’m sure, without knowing the team until Friday, that her name will feature heavily on Saturday and Sunday.
“So it’s someone I would love to play and try and right my wrongs from midway through the year when we played in Rome.”
Unless French captain Julien Benneteau pulls a selection surprise, Barty and Mladenovic will face off in Sunday’s first reverse singles rubber.
If Saturday’s results go to rankings, the tie would be all locked up at one rubber apiece.
Barty will probably play French No.2 Caroline Garcia on Saturday. Garcia is another formidable opponent, having reached world No.4 in October last year - a week before Barty squared their career series at one win each with a victory in Zhuhai.
Like they did in France’s semi-final win over Romania in April, Mladenovic and Garcia - former French Open champions together - will almost certainly pair up for Sunday’s potentially deciding doubles rubber - against Barty and Samantha Stosur.