Australian Open, Barty brings the women’s title back to Australia

Ashleigh Barty gives Australia a long-awaited dream of 44 years. The Wonder Girl who quit tennis due to too much stress and expectations returned and brought home the trophy that Chris O’Neill had last won in 1978. She was the last Australian to win the main tournament, and only Wendy Turnbull, two years later, managed to reach the final. Nothing to do for Danielle Collins, who defeated 6-3 7-6 in the first final of her career at a Grand Slam. A match that, unlike other matches in the tournament, is not dominated by the host, which results in the second set being sent twice and taking a huge risk before the long-awaited cry of victory is unleashed by her people.

The two Grand Slam champions start a bit on contract, and the first breaking point in the match was for Daniel Collins with a 2-2 draw. Ashley, known for her sensitivity, feels there is more to be won than a Grand Slam trophy. The Australian called off a direct winner pressing the American’s right-hand corner and then holding the serve. His moment comes in the fifth inning. Perhaps, after overcoming the initial anxiety, the Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion frees her arm and thus breaks Collins’ serve. The untapped ball cuts Danielle’s legs giving the first set 6-3.

When she returns to the field, the American tries to stay in the game, attacking her and in the second match she breaks the crossbar from Barty, a feat that only other players since the beginning of the year, Anisimova and Goff, have succeeded in doing. And only once in a tournament. Counterbreaker risks, Daniel, climbs 3-0 and takes to the court and changes 4-1. As the exchanges get longer, the number 1 in the world is having difficulty (above nine strokes is only US territory) and in the sixth game there is a second break. Collins doesn’t take advantage of that and when he sends 5-1 he gives his turn and finds himself 5-3. On the second serve opportunity to bring the match into the third set, he again drops serve (serving three seconds, wrong backhands) and allows Barty to come back and take the tie break. Immediately 3-0 Ashley, backed by the screams of her people,

Watch the Australian Open on Discovery +. active now