Barty’s clay excellence faces test against reigning French Open champion

World No 1 Ash Barty will face fellow Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek in a clash of the last two French Open winners in Madrid on Monday night.

Australia's Ash Barty is on a 13-match winning streak on clay. Picture: AFP

Ash Barty will receive another stress test for her early season excellence on clay when she faces reigning Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek on Monday night in Madrid.

The first clash between the past two French Open winners has been eagerly awaited given the variety and arsenal of shots both women possess.

With Barty absent from a delayed French Open last October, Swiatek produced one of the most dominant fortnights seen on clay in Paris as she won her maiden major title.

Barty has won her past 13 matches on clay, which includes her run at Roland Garros in 2019 and at the Stuttgart Grand Prix in Germany last week on her return to Europe.

Swiatek, 19, is on a nine-match winning streak on the red clay that began in Paris last October.

They have only practised together once, in Melbourne earlier this year, and the Australian is aware her younger rival can do special things with a racquet.

“(It is) a match that I look forward to. She’s got a seriously impressive game,” Barty said.

“(She) moves very well on the clay court, can slide off both legs (and) controls her body really well on clay.

“She likes to use her hopper, gets round (and) controls the court with her forehand.

“It is a challenge that we go into with a really clean slate, a little bit of a period of trying to figure each other out and how our games match up.”

Dealing with the world No 1’s renowned slice backhand — a shot Barty has the ability of hitting with differing degrees of speed and spin — is a strength Swiatek is wary of.

“I remember it was hard in Melbourne to keep your legs low, just playing back those slices,” she said. “I think most of the girls have a problem with that. I’m going to remember that.”

Worth another look 🤤@ashbarty | #MMOPENpic.twitter.com/0bIhyqBLrv

— wta (@WTA) May 1, 2021

The absence of Barty, who dropped the second set in her 6-4 1-6 6-3 victory over Tamara Zidansek on Saturday, from the tour last year has sharpened the focus on her clashes with other leading players.

The Australian met 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu for the first time in the final of the Miami Open last month and was in control when the Canadian retired due to injury.

The clash with Swiatek has been anticipated by tennis fans as well given the Polish star’s talent.

The 19-year-old said she could learn from the patience Barty shows in matches and the Australian’s approach to the sport.

“I really respect her. Basically, I think (she sets) a good example of dealing with expectations, just having some kind of distance to the game,” Swiatek said.

“It just shows that when you’re going to catch some perspective, just approach tennis differently, it’s going to be easier.

“She is doing that. That is why she’s winning tournaments. It seems too easy for her.”

Australia’s top-ranked men Alex de Minaur and John Millman are also playing in Madrid in the men’s event, while Alexei Popyrin is attempting to qualify for the Masters tournament.

Love the fight 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/9SMy3tbnJm

— Ash Barty (@ashbarty) May 1, 2021