By Michael Gleeson
Barty d Sabalenka 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
On the scale of "tennis shrieks", rising Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka is Maria Sharapova turned up to 11 but Ashleigh Barty was able to switch off the noise and find a way past the powerful Sabalenka's game for a come-from-behind win.
Certainly, in the stands – and at home watching, even if social media is a skewed window – spectators were distracted and displeased by it.
At one stage, the crowd mocked Sabalenka by imitating her, prompting the chair umpire to admonish them.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus was a loud and fierce fighter against Ashleigh Barty.Credit: DITA ALANGKARA
Barty was unfazed by her opponent's volume though.
"We knew it was coming. I hadn't seen a lot of her matches, but my coach had watched vision. He was aware it was coming," she said after the match.
"A lot of players grunt. A lot of players don't grunt. It's just the way they are, the way they play. For me, it wasn't a distraction. It wasn't anything like that. It was just part and parcel. I knew it was coming.
"I think if something that small can irritate you [on court], that's a bigger issue in itself. I knew it was coming. I was prepared for it. I mean, obviously in the first couple of games, you get used to it. Everyone has a bit of a different grunt. But, no, you get used to it."
Ashleigh Barty was pushed to three sets by Aryna Sabalenka.Credit: DITA ALANGKARA
In winning Barty, Australia's top-ranked woman, saved Australia from a home player wipeout on day two of the Australian Open.
She was the only one of eight Australians on court on day two to make it through the first round.
"Good for me, but not so good for the other Aussies," Barty said. "No, we've still got a few playing tomorrow, a couple on the girl's side."
Earlier locals Ajla Tomljanovic, Lizette Cabrera, Destanee Aiava, Jordan Thompson, Alexei Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis were all eliminated, with Alex de Minaur following them through the exit door late on a tough day for home fans at Melbourne Park.
But it was no sure thing for Barty, with the 18th seed forced to fight patiently against the impressive Sabalenka's highly offensive attacking game.
"I knew she had a big game, is very much a first-strike player. I was sort of ready for it," she said.
"It took me a while to sort of get used to her patterns, understand where she wanted to hit the ball. I felt like I had my plans in place. I knew if I hung around long enough, I'd be able to get into the match, work it into my favour a bit."