Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty destroys Camila Giorgi to advance to fourth round

Ash Barty is many things but this summer of tennis, the main one is ‘unbreakable’. These are the crazy numbers behind her epic serving streak.

Unbreakable Aussie Ash Barty has revealed a private conversation with herself halfway through the 2019 Roland Garros semi-final helped her explode into the world’s best player – and on Sunday she will come face-to-face with that opponent for the first time since.

The dream Round 4 match-up between Barty and Naomi Osaka was upended on Friday night when the Japanese champion was stunned by 20-year-old Amanda Anismova, who Barty fought back against to claim that French Open claim.

Anismova’s secret weapon has been Australian coach Darren Cahill, who has joined on a trial basis, and Cahill now has 48 hours to plot how to end Barty’s dream of breaking a 44-year local drought at the Australian Open.

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“That was a turning point in my career,” Barty said of her 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-3 victory against a then 17-year-old Anismova at Roland Garros.

“Some of those memories are still really vivid. I remember the biggest moment of that match was coming out of the chair at 0-3 in the second set.

“I remember to this very day what I was saying to myself at that change of ends. From then on it’s held me in pretty good stead, sticking to those values and continuing to try and grow each and every time on court and problem-solve and work my way through.”

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The world No.1 did it easy again.

Barty wouldn’t share her secret words of encouragement and reaffirmed her desire for Tennis Australia to schedule her during the day instead of in the primetime 7pm timeslot.

“I love to play in the daytime, that’s no secret,” she said.

“I’ve always been a morning person, always been up early, and have grown up playing in the Australian sun. I love the extra bounce and the heat in the court.”

Remarkably, Barty has held serve 57 consecutive times with her three opponents gone in 60 minutes in the first week at Melbourne Park.

“My expectation was whoever it would be. I mean, each match is uncertain. Each match of tennis, there are no certainties.”

A gutted Osaka said: “I’m not God. I can’t win every match” after Anismova clinched a victory in a super tie break on Margaret Court Arena.

The Florida kid – who can’t even legally drink back home – is into the final 16 for the second time down under.

Barty was at her dominant best, leaving her opponent with no hope. Picture: Getty Images

Barty credited technology and the evolution of racquets for the upgraded power game.

“You can get a racquet now that is extremely powerful, allows you to swing through a lot of the ball and gives you this flat shape that just gets through the court,” she said.

“Not too many girls would say no to getting extra power and free power from technology. I was never the biggest girl growing up, so I had to find different ways to win matches. I was never the strongest or the most powerful, so that gave me more tools to be able to try and nullify that.

“With the string from 20, 30 years ago, it’s a different ball game completely.”

As for the Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired “Siuu” chants that have annoyed – and angered – players this week?

“Yeah, I don’t really understand it. Not my thing,” Barty said.

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty destroys Camila Giorgi to advance to fourth round