Ash Barty opens her Australian Open campaign in flawless win

World No 1 Ash Barty did not drop a game in her opening round victory against Danka Kovinic when producing a performance that was near flawless on Rod Laver Arena.

Ash Barty dropped just 10 points when she blitzed Danka Kovinic 6-0 6-0 in 44 minutes to open her Australian Open campaign. Picture: Michael Klein

After a phenomenal return to the tour last week, Ash Barty opened her Australian Open campaign in ruthless fashion with an astonishing triumph on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night.

Barty demonstrated why she is a clear contender to end a local drought at the Australian Open that dates back to Chris O’Neil’s success in 1978 when she demolished Danka Kovinic 6-0, 6-0.

Despite the scoreline, the world No.1 did not play the perfect match. But nor was she rattled through her first-round match in just 44 minutes after losing just 10 points.

Leading into her return to tennis after a sabbatical of nearly a year, the Australian said she was looking forward to rediscovering “the thrill of the fight”.

But this encounter was more a mismatch than a fair fight as Barty blasted winners regularly against her outclassed rival.

“I still feel (nervous), for sure. I try to come out here and stick to the processes, stick to my routines and just have fun,” she said.

“That’s what it is all about, coming out here and enjoying it. It’s impossible not to enjoy a night session on this beautiful court.”

Kovinic, who hails from Montenegro and entered the match with a ranking of 82, was rendered helpless.

She was simply incapable of stretching the 2019 Roland Garros champion with any consistency.

The Queenslander captured her ninth WTA Tour title when she was successful in the Yarra Valley Classic on Sunday after playing exclusively on Margaret Court Arena all week.

She brought her mastery of that court across to Rod Laver Arena and dictated proceedings, whether serving or returning.

Barty said she received a breakdown on her rival’s strengths and weaknesses from her coach Craig Tyzzer as she was warming up. Clearly she executed the plan.

“The competitor in me missed what this is all about,” she said. “I missed the last hour before we come out on (the) court where Tyzz talks about things and we dissect the match. (I missed) enjoying the thrill of the fight.”

The statistical analysis paints a picture of the annihilation as effectively as the scoreboard does.

It is nearly as one-sided a spreadsheet as there will ever be in a professional match and is a testament to the brilliance and balance with which Barty played.

The 24-year-old won the first 16 points of the match. She won seven of the 12 games played to love. Overall, Barty won 50 of the 60 points played. Only once did she face a game point.

So near flawless was her performance, the Australian queen of the court rightly earned a standing ovation after her victory.

“This is what it is all about. It is incredible,” she said.

“To play in Australia and in front of you guys, it is an honour and a privilege and we are extremely grateful to be here.”

Barty plays compatriot Daria Gavrilova on Thursday. Gavrilova accounted for Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1 7-5 on Tuesday night in a performance that suggests Barty won’t have it easy.

As Barty was racing to a rapid-fire victory, her fellow major winner Sam Stosur claimed her first singles win at the Australian Open since 2015 when too strong for Destanee Aiava.

Stosur, 36, showed more composure than the Melburnian, winning 6-4 6-4. The 2011 US Open champion faces Jessica Pegula, who upset Victoria Azarenka, in the second round.