Ash Barty’s arrival brought the house down at Margaret Court Arena but the party was crashed

THE people at Margaret Court Arena didn’t see it coming. The arrival of Ash Barty brought the house down but sadly the party was crashed as the Aussie darling’s Open campaign ended.

Ash Barty at full stretch. Picture: Michael Klein

THE people at Margaret Court Arena didn’t see it coming.

They’d enjoyed US star Madison Keys and No.6 seed Karolina Pliskova, plus two hours of Dominic Thiem’s best work.

It was getting on home time anyway. The crowd had started to thin.

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But suddenly their day turned into their night too, as Open officials made the call to move Australian darling Ash Barty from an occupied Rod Laver Arena to the court next door.

The arrival of Barty brought the house down.

What a bonus. Over on Rod Laver fans were fuming. People, including Richmond fan Peter Robins, had tickets to see the Tigers-loving girl.

Ash Barty in action at the Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

What now?

Logic won out and centre court tickets were honoured across the hall.

What a sight to see the exodus on Rod Laver. And the queues outside the neighbouring stadium.

At MCA, with Barty down 1-2, the doors were opened and a fresh wave of supporters spewed through scrapping for a seat.

Just take any, was the interpretation of the chair umpire’s “please take your seats”.

At 3-2 the next flood rushed in, with people spreading wide, taking whatever seat they could find. The media section has never been so full.

Naomi Osaka celebrates after win over Ash Barty.

Barty was broken in the first game, she broke her shoe when she was 5-4 down, a phone rang and suddenly Barty had dropped the first 6-4.

But still the people came.

Early in the second set, Barty’s opponent Naomi Osaka was forced to wait a moment while a door attendant scolded her waiting queue so loudly the audience inside let out a collective shhh.

The gate keeper was telling waiting fans to move away from the doors, they weren’t letting anyone in yet. It was hard to see where anyone else was going o fit.

Naomi Osaka is congratulated by Ash Barty.

While the crowd for Barty grew, it was Osaka’s game, not the Aussie’s, that rose. Osaka’s hard hitting and big serve overpowered Barty.

Osaka was apologetic in victory and grateful for the experience playing in front of a one-eyed Australian crowd.

“I’m kind of sorry because I know you wanted her to win,” Osaka said, winning a legion of her own fans.

Again, the crowd probably didn’t see it coming.