Ash Barty defeats cancer survivor Carla Suarez Navarro in Wimbledon first round

Aussie world no.1 overcomes emotional atmosphere to win Wimbledon first round clash against cancer survivor Carla Suarez Navarro.

Ash Barty overcame a tricky opponent and an emotional atmosphere on Wimbledon centre court to win her first round clash against cancer survivor Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets overnight (AEST).

But the world number one won’t have the luxury of repeating some of the simple errors in her initial game if she wants to make a big dent in the tournament, facing a tough side of the draw which includes Coco Gauff and Angelique Kerber.

Barty looked initially comfortable amid the electric charged atmosphere on centre court – and adjusted quickly when the roof was deployed just 12 minutes into the game – to race away with the first set 6-1.

The world No.1 is through 👏@ashbarty beats a spirited Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-7(1), 6-1 for her first win on grass since 2019#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/gZSpnV2pd9

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2021

But the 25-year-old Queenslander faltered in the second set, unable to close out the game that was hers for the taking. She made some uncharacteristic errors – including missing three overhead smashes – which more than hinted at a rustiness of match play.

The crowd sensed a possible shock and swung behind Suarez Navarro, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin‘s lymphoma last year, but was declared cancer-free this April. Suarez Navarro punished Barty for her errors, and she forced the set into a tie breaker, winning it 7-1.

Ash Barty returns against Carla Suarez Navarro. Picture: AFP

Suarez Navarro’s shotmaking was superb, but she admitted afterwards that when she spent time on court, she felt tired.

“I know what I have to do to win the match, but my body is not the same that two years ago,” she said.

Barty was able to regather her sharp serve and her confidence and waltzed through the final set 6-1.

Later, Barty admitted to nerves but said it was a solid match, and she praised her opponent for her resilience and comeback from adversity.

“In the game where I was trying to serve out the match, I just missed a few too many first serves and Carla was able to take the game on and hit some incredible returns,’’ Barty said.

The Australian said she wanted to give Suarez Navarro a hug for her last match at Wimbledon – the Spaniard is retiring after competing at Flushing Meadows later this year.

A touching moment

It's been a pleasure, @CarlaSuarezNava 💜 💚#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/3JrMwkjkts

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2021

“The crowd was exceptional. They gave her a remarkable reception as well as she‘s walking off the court,” Barty said.

“I kind of didn‘t know what else to do. I wanted to give her a hug, just say congratulations on an exceptional, remarkable career.”

Barty said having to stay inside the player bubble “was worth it to experience the tournament”.

“To be able to play here, you do absolutely anything. You bend over backwards to make sure you can prepare yourself in a way that you can experience Wimbledon, play at Wimbledon.”

Ash Barty prepares to smash during her Wimbledon first round victory over Carla Suarez Navarro. Picture: Getty Images

But Barty, who hasn’t played on grass for two years, said: “It kind of felt like it hasn‘t been so long, though. Grass court tennis has always felt like it’s come quite naturally to me.

“I thought at times today I served well, was able to control the court. For all but one little hiccup, serving for the match, it was really good. I mean, we obviously go back and debrief and go through and think of ways that we can improve and be better, what we’ve learnt from that match.

“But to be able to run away with that third set in the end, kind of get off the court pretty quickly, was really nice.”

Barty added that she was “proud, just bloody proud’’ to have been named in the Australian Olympic team for the Tokyo Olympics.

“It was always a dream of mine, to be able to be officially named in the team is awesome,’’ she said.