Ash Barty ‘off the charts’ in historic fourth round Aus Open win

Ash Barty has been termed “unbeatable” by one of our best ever players and it’s hard to argue when her big weapons keep firing.

Barty was in the zone once again. Photo by Michael Klein

The Barty Party has continued at Melbourne Park as the World No. 1 cruised once again into quarterfinals with a straight sets win over Amanda Anisimova.

A 6-4 6-3 win sees Barty become the first Aussie to make four straight quarterfinals since the tournament moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.

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Coming into the match, Barty was well aware that the American was a tough customer, having defeated defending champion Naomi Osaka in the last round.

There have been some absolutely ridiculous points in this Barty-Anisimova match so far pic.twitter.com/Be41WhK7ui

— D'Arcy Maine (@darcymaine_espn) January 23, 2022

But after a 3-all start on serve, Barty broke Anisimova and held her own tight service game.

While it didn’t all go her own way, Barty sealed the first set with a forehand winner.

And early in the second set, her 63 straight service hold streak came to an end as Anisimova went up 2-0 in the second on the back of the first broken Barty serve of the 2022 Australian Open.

...and that was the jinx, I guess.

After 63 straight holds, Anisimova breaks Barty for *2-0 in the second set.#AusOpen

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 23, 2022

That's the first time Ashleigh Barty's been broken on her own serve in 64 games. That is ridiculous.

— Tom Hamilton (@tomhamiltonespn) January 23, 2022

Ash Barty is a machine. Nothing fazes her. Gets broken for the first time in the tournament and then just rolls out to break straight back. Not even another break point in the following game rattled her - drilled a huge ace. She’s amazing. #ausopen#tennis

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) January 23, 2022

But it didn’t worry Barty too much as she hit straight back to return the match to serve.

And then to lead 4-3 with a break, Barty did it again to put herself within reach of another Australian Open quarterfinal and a match up with 21st seed Jessica Pegula.

Barty finally claimed the win 6-4 6-3 breaking Anisimova again as the young American had no response for the Aussie champion.

“A plan executed to perfection,” the commentators said.

Is there anything Ash can’t do? Photo by Michael Klein

Once again, her slice was on show as Barty controlled the tempo, drawing praise from Kiki Bertens’ former coach Raemon Sluiter.

That slice alone should get a tv show. What a thing of beauty.

— Raemon Sluiter (@raemonsluiter) January 23, 2022

Strong cross, keepitintherally-cross, givingtheopponentnopace-cross, bringingtheopponentinveryuncomfortably-cross, slidingit juststrongenoughtonotmovearound-cross. Control is just off the charts!

— Raemon Sluiter (@raemonsluiter) January 23, 2022

And her serve was once again outstanding as she hit two-thirds of her first serves, unleashed seven aces and won 78 per cent of her points on first serve.

Former Australian Open champion Jim Courier was in awe about the Aussie star.

“Ash, she nips and cuts you to death. Just picks the corners off. You don’t even know you’re bleeding out,” he said on Nine.

“I don’t know that I’ve seen a server get more value out of 175, 180km/h serves that Ash has been getting this whole Aussie summer, in Adelaide and here – how many free points she’s winning with her serve. She’s hitting it so close to the line consistently.

“And (Naomi) Osaka can get it up around 200km/h. She’s got a lot more firepower, but Ash has more precision.”

Speaking with Courier post-match, Barty said this year’s Australian Open has been a lot more fun than last year thanks to the crowd support.

“The last two years have been extraordinarily tough for a lot of people all around the world,” she said. “For us as tennis players, we were able to continue playing, that was an absolute bonus. To have the crowd here, it brings a life to the sport, brings the enjoyment, and for me a lot more fun when I got to share it with everyone else.”

Ash Barty has cruised to another win. Photo by Michael Klein

Before the match, Barty earned some huge praise from one of Australia’s greatest ever tennis players in Rod Laver as looks to end the 44-year local drought at our local slam.

“She’s doing great already. Ash has got a lot of potential and she’s showing it this particular time,” Laver said on Saturday.

“It would be great for me if she won the Australian. I know the competition is pretty strong out there.

“But she’s beaten most of these players on the circuit. It’s just a matter if she can play her game when the chips are down. When she’s playing her great tennis, she’s unbeatable.

“She’s ready to say something big – and I think this particular tournament might be the one that could bring her to another level.”