Adelaide International 2022: Ash Barty survives Coco Gauff’s challenge to make quarter-finals

World No.1 Ash Barty looked in danger of being bundled out of the Adelaide International before belatedly producing her best.

Ash Barty survived a serious test to keep her Adelaide International title hopes alive. Picture: Getty Images

These are the kinds of stern tests Ash Barty will hope to pass in a few weeks’ time.

Trailing inspired American teenager Coco Gauff by a set and 4-2 – with a break point to come – Barty was on the brink of being the upset-strewn Adelaide International’s latest high-profile victim.

A Barty defeat, in her first match of the year, would have left defending champion and fifth seed Iga Swiatek as the highest-ranked player left.

Instead, the world No.1 grabbed hold of her destiny, tired of being, at times, bullied on her second serve and often on the ground, especially while her forehand was misfiring.

Three timely first serves helped dig Barty out of trouble, then the pendulum swung quickly and wildly – including an exquisite lob to claim the second set – as she posted a runaway 4-6 7-5 6-1 triumph.

The Australian struck one last blow to her 17-year-old rival in the final game, surging from 0-40 to snatch the last five points of the match.

Ash Barty staged a brilliant comeback in Adelaide against Coco Gauff after being on the brink of defeat. Picture: AFP

“This old body might be a little bit sore tomorrow morning, I think,” Barty said with a smile on court. “No, look, it’s great to come out here and I feel like I played a pretty good quality match, considering it was the first match in a few months.

“Coco played great, she forced me to hit a lot of balls tonight and I felt like I got better and better as the match went on, so it was nice to come out here and get some court time.”

Barty finished with double as many winners (42-21) but also more unforced errors (48-31), as she hit herself into form in front of an adoring Adelaide crowd.

The fightback was initially mostly about Barty’s best tennis finally emerging, but Gauff’s errors began to mount as the irrepressible force down the other end loomed larger.

“I just wanted to be really clear on how I wanted to play,” Barty said.

“I wanted to continue to play aggressively and keep looking for my forehand.

“I probably went through a 10- or 15-minute period there where I just didn’t execute on my forehand and wasn’t quite getting that momentum.”

American teenager Coco Gauff was on the verge of a major win over world No.1 Ash Barty. Picture: AFP

Barty awaits the winner of Thursday night’s clash between fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic and 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.

Kenin, of course, ended Barty’s Melbourne Park title run in the semi-finals two years ago, while Tomljanovic lost to her countrywoman in the quarter-finals of her triumphant Wimbledon campaign in 2021.

For Gauff, it was a reminder of the work she still has ahead to become a serious grand slam contender – but also that she is arguably the best prospect in the women’s game.

Barty has traditionally been a powerhouse in Australian Open lead-in events, winning titles the past two years and making at least a final in four-straight years.

But she did suffer a defeat in Brisbane to another American, Jennifer Brady, in 2020 after also having a first-round bye.