Aussie Ash Barty falls short of dominant Naomi Osaka in China Open Final

It looked like smooth sailing when Aussie Ash Barty claimed the first set of the China Open final against Naomi Osaka. But the power-packed Japanese wunderkind had other ideas.

Ash Barty fell short in the China Open final to Naomi Osaka. Picture: AP

Naomi Osaka has put Ashleigh Barty’s quest for the year-end No. 1 on hold for now after the Japanese’s three-set win in the China Open final.

Osaka fought back to register a 3-6 6-3 6-2 win in 1hr50min in Beijing on Sunday.

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Ash Barty fell short in the China Open final to Naomi Osaka. Picture: AP

Barty is still in a strong position to become the first Australian woman in the professional era to end the year on top of the rankings, however, as she remains more than 1000 points clear of world No. 2 Karolina Pliskova.

The Czech would likely need to win the year-ending championships in Shenzen combined with a poor run from Barty for this to happen.

Third-ranked Osaka and No. 4 Elina Svitolina nominally remain in contention to top the rankings but would need a lot to go their way.

Things looked on track for Barty who started the final in composed fashion as her rival mixed sublime shot-making with unforced errors.

Osaka’s power was too much for Barty. Picture: AFP

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After five deuces on Osaka’s serve in the sixth game, Barty made the first breakthrough to take a 4-2 lead.

She eventually served out the set to love and looked to be in good shape to take her career record to 3-1 against Osaka before the 2018 US Open mounted a comeback.

Osaka’s returns began to find their range more and she broke for a 4-2 lead in the second set before serving it out to take the clash into a decider.

Osaka shakes hands with Barty after taking out the final.

With three consecutive three-setters behind her in Beijing, including the semi- final against Kiki Bertens where she saved a match point, Barty appeared to tire in the third set.

Nineteen unforced errors in the final set took their toll on this year’s French Open winner, who was broken twice in the final set for Osaka to close out the match for her third title of 2019.

Osaka and Barty with their trophies. Picture: AFP