Ash Barty v Karolina Muchova: the match that changed their careers
The last time Ash Barty played Karolina Muchova there was more than an element of New York madness about the occasion.
The last time Ash Barty played Karolina Muchova there was more than an element of New York madness about the occasion.
The pair will clash for just the second time in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open on Wednesday on a cavernous Rod Laver Arena.
It’s a far cry from the back courts of Flushing Meadow, the scene of their third round clash at the US Open in 2018 when chaos was the order of the day.
On that occasion their match was first delayed, then shunted from court to court all the while a cold snap had hit New York.
In the shadows cast by the world’s biggest tennis arena, Arthur Ashe Stadium, lie three courts side-by-side. It is a throwback to club tennis.
Crowds shuffle back and forth between points, with line calls and score announcements from the adjoining courts clearly audible. So too sponsorship announcements from the big screen.
Competitors can even smell the hotdogs cooking in a cart in the laneway behind the row of courts as fans chug beers not too far away.
And most seemed more interested in the beers than the outstanding tennis unfolding on Court Six.
Really impressive performance by @ashbar96 against the impressive Karolina #Muchova. Through to her the last 16 at a major for the first time. pic.twitter.com/jW04gXdh9c
— Courtney Walsh (@walshcee) September 1, 2018
After several hours of waiting, Barty strode on court as the 18th seed against Muchova, who was ranked 268 but playing far, far better than that.
The Australian handled the trying conditions better than her rival in an entertaining but tight clash. She has a vivid recollection of the encounter which proved to be a career breakthrough for Barty as she had reached the second week of a grand slam for the first time with a 6-3 6-4 triumph.
“Certainly that match in New York, it was a great match, a brilliant match,” Barty said.
“I remember we moved courts (and that) we were playing at all hours of the night. (It was) one of those funny experiences where you look back on it now and just realise how special it was.
“I know that now we get another opportunity to do it in a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam. It will be a brilliant match.
“I know she’s got the ability to maneuver the ball all around the court, play with variety, play with shape.”
Muchova remembers the clash too, in part for the generosity of the Australian.
The pair share a similar style and Barty was full of encouragement for the Czech.
“I remember that they moved us from a nice court to some small court,” Muchova said.
“She was great. That time I was a qualifier, I think, and I had many matches in my legs, so I was a bit tired.
“I remember that after the match she actually told me, like, to keep working, that I can make it to the top. So that was nice.”
Barty’s coach Craig Tyzzer remembers being surprised by the ability of Muchova when he went to do his homework prior to their clash in New York.
The Czech, who is the same age as Barty at 24, had just ousted Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza in stunning fashion, yet was scarcely known.
“I couldn’t believe how good an athlete this girl was. She was like a year (eight months) older than Ash. Where has she been? I realised then she had a lot of injuries,” he said.
“She’s super talented. She’s a great athlete. She’s got all the shots (and is an) attacking player (who) likes to come forward. I actually like the way she plays tennis.
“I know Ash is looking forward to it. She enjoyed that match, too. It was a really high-quality tennis match.
“She’s looking forward to playing against her. It’s a great test because she is such a quality player (who has) obviously improved out of sight from back then to where she is now. I think it will be a great contest.”
Days later Barty and Tyzzer were booting a Sherrin back and forth on the same court as a warm-up leading into her triumph in the US Open doubles final.
It proved a major turning point for Barty. She had walked away from tennis in disillusionment and despair after the 2014 US Open but she was back on her way to the top.
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