Ashleigh Barty says capturing her first WTA title on Australian soil is perfect preparation for a home grand slam.
The world No.1 emphatically won the Adelaide International final on Saturday, downing Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 7-5 at Memorial Drive.
Barty had lost her two previous WTA finals in Australia – at the Sydney International last year and 2018.
‘‘Third-time lucky, I suppose, isn’t it,’’ Barty said. ‘‘But the best part about this week is I fought and scrapped my way through and got better and better in each situation, in each match.
‘‘I just put myself in the position to go for another title which is really exciting. It’s been incredible to play at home and a really, really special week.’’
But Barty said she couldn’t afford to dwell on her eighth WTA title, instead switching focus to her opening match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday night.
Ashleigh Barty lifts the trophy after winning the Adelaide International women's final on Saturday.Credit: AAP
‘‘It has been a great preparation this week ... [but] I know that we play on Monday night,’’ she said. ‘‘I look forward to playing on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night, it’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be a fresh tournament as well.
‘‘I have to start with my clean slate for the Australian Open.’’
Barty produced a powerhouse performance against the world No.24 Yastremska to claim the inaugural Adelaide tournament.
The Queenslander went full throttle in her last tune-up for the Open, rapidly establishing control against the 19-year-old. Barty conceded just two points on serve during a ruthless 30-minute opening set, while breaking her opponent’s serve in the third and seventh games.
Ashleigh Barty is all smiles after winning her first WTA title on home soil with victory in the Adelaide International on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
‘‘At the start of the match she was a little bit erratic, gave me a few cheap errors in twos and threes in a row,’’ she said. ‘‘I knew that wasn’t going to stay that way throughout the whole match, she is too good a player to not make a change to some degree.’’
Yastremska fought back from 2-0 down in the second set to hold a 4-3 lead, but then blew a gilt-edged chance. She couldn’t convert two break points and Barty levelled at 4-4.
The Australian soon made a decisive move, breaking Yastremska to love to take a 6-5 advantage and then duly served out for the title.
AAP