Ash Barty’s Wimbledon dream crushed by American Alison Riske
A gracious Ashleigh Barty offered no excuses after her incredible grand slam run came to a shuddering halt at the hands of American Alison Riske.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ashleigh Barty laments a lack of execution and uncharacteristically inconsistent serving after shock Wimbledon defeat, while remaining fatalistic over the future of the world No. 1 ranking.
Eliminated 3-6 6-2 6-3 by American counter-puncher Alison Riske, Barty admitted her usually pinpoint serve betrayed her as the match wore on.
“I think I started well. I was sticking to how I wanted to play,” Barty said.
“Then in the second set, I think my serve let me down.
“I let Alison get back into the match too many times, having looks at second serves.
“In the second set, I gave Alison too many looks at second serves. I know that my percentage (51 per cent) was down.
“I wasn’t missing serves by too much. They were small margins. A miss is still a miss, and gives her an opportunity to have a look at a second serve.
“Yeah, disappointing. That’s probably one of the parts of my game I’m disappointed with the most.
“But in saying that, it was just a bad serving day at times. Not always.
“There were times where it was still there, as well. But not to be.
“Overall I didn’t play a poor match. When I needed to, when the big moments were there, Alison played better today.
“Tough one to swallow but I lost to a better player.”
“But in saying that, it’s also only a tennis match. I try to do everything I can to win the tennis match. If I don’t, the sun is still going to come up tomorrow.
“Today wasn’t my day, but that’s not going to define us as a team, it’s not going to define me as a person. I think that’s the most important thing.”
“I’m so proud of myself and my team over the last six to eight weeks. We’ve had an incredible trip, incredible couple of months.
“It’s incredibly tough right now,” she said before heading off for a couple of consoling beers.
HOW THE MATCH WAS WON — AND LOST
Riske, the world No. 54, became the first player to beat Barty in 16 matches.
The defeat ends French Open champion Barty’s quest for a second major and marks her first failure since falling to Kristina Mladenovic in Rome in May.
In control early, Barty lost rhythm on serve and struggled to penetrate net-rushing Riske’s defences.
Having lost only one set of her previous 31 sets, Barty was surprisingly vulnerable with 25 unforced errors and a first serve percentage of 51.
She had dropped serve only twice in three previous rounds. She lost her serve four times against Riske.
Barty started superbly with four aces in the opening game of the match, but became increasingly tentative as the contest unfolded.
In the end, Riske was simply too good with 30 winners to Barty’s 27 and only 15 unforced errors to the Australian’s 25.
Riske was given a comprehensive briefing on how to topple Barty by Australian expert analyst Craig O’Shannessy, who is part of Novak Djokovic’s tactical team.
The New South Welshman advised Riske to stay away from Barty’s backhand and to instead target the Queenslander’s forehand.
The game plan took a while to kick in, but was ultimately devastatingly successful.
Armed with O’Shannessy’s treatise, Riske was set back on her heels with Barty’s opening-game salvo.
But, even after twice blundering on serve in the first set, repeatedly threatened the Australian.
Barty responded to the challenge by unloading four consecutive aces.
Moving ahead after 32 minutes, there was evidence of Barty anxiety early in the second set when she mangled a sitter smash and misjudged where to hit a put away winner.
Two games later, Barty lost serve as Riske successfully targeted the Australian’s forehand to lead 3-1.
Barty slapped her thigh in disgust after floating a backhand return long, more proof of building frustration as the American cruised to 4-1.
Levelling the match with another service break, Riske was now clearly in control from the baseline.
Barty created a break point opening in the fifth game of the deciding set, but Riske coolly escaped.
The American then calmly sealed Barty’s demise with a rifled forehand winner down the line to break for 5-3.
A game later it was over as Barty pushed a backhand wide, leaving Riske to face either Serena Williams or Carla Suarez Navarro in Tuesday’s quarters.
“Grass definitely brings out the best in me,” Riske said as Barty trudged away.
“I think my game is really suited for it.
“I love coming forward and I have a flat forehand.
“Honestly, I told my parents I didn’t want Wimbledon to end.
“I’m just grateful to my whole team.”
Ranked: Who should really be named SA’s top sporting hero?
We’ve named the top 100 athletes, teams and sporting icons from South Australia. But did we get it right? Rate our full list here.
Matildas loss rugby’s gain as teens help Aussies end long Sevens drought
Grit, a fighting spirit and a pair of young guns - including one that was touted as a future Matilda - have helped Australia end a seven-year-long drought in rugby sevens.