Ash Barty wins Adelaide International women’s final, says she got ‘better and better’

Ash Barty says she is positioned for the Australian Open after winning the Adelaide International | Watch

Ash Barty during the women’s singles final on day seven of the Adelaide International tennis tournament. Picture: David Mariuz/AAP

Ashleigh Barty says capturing her first WTA title on Australian soil is perfect preparation for a home grand slam, the Australian Open.

The world No 1 emphatically won the Adelaide International tennis final on Saturday, downing Ukranian Dayana Yastremska 6-2 7-5 at Memorial Drive.

Ashleigh Barty of Australia in action against Dayana Yastremska of the Ukraine during day seven of the 2020 Adelaide International on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

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 afterwards.

“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.

“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 fresh tournament as well.

“I have to start with my clean slate for the Australian Open.”

Fans watch the final between Ash Barty and Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska. Picture: AP

Later Russia’s Andrey Rublev has won the Adelaide International men’s final to claim consecutive ATP titles.

The third-seeded Rublev has beaten South African qualifier Lloyd Harris 6-3 6-0 in Saturday night’s final at Memorial Drive.

The world No 18’s triumph follows his win in last week’s ATP tournament in Doha.

Earlier 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. “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.

Dayana Yastremska on Centre Court. Picture: Sarah Reed

Yastremska was overwhelmed by the Barty assault, making 14 unforced errors and serving three double-faults in the opening set.

The Ukrainian called a bathroom break at the end of the set, most likely in a bid to stall the momentum of Barty, who nonchalantly waited on her haunches against court fencing.

But the respite had scant instant impact.

Ash Barty during the final. Picture: AAP

Barty had four break points in Yastremska’s first game of the second set, and cashed in the last for a break and held serve for a 2-0 lead. But Yastremska, when seemingly down for the count, rallied to win the next three games.

The visitor, leading 4-3, had two break points to extend her lead only for Barty to save both and square at 4-4.

Barty soon made the decisive move.

AAP