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Post by Admin on May 13, 2021 20:02:43 GMT
In her opening match on Wednesday, the World No.1 was given an early examination by Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova before she reeled off 10 of the last 11 games to win 6-4 6-1 in 78 minutes.
By the end, she was in the groove which saw her power to the Stuttgart title and last week's final in Madrid as she sets her sights on another clay court title.
Barty was upbeat after overcoming a potentially awkward hurdle in 33-year-old Shvedova, a former world top-25 player who's been on an injury-hit comeback trail after taking a break to become a mother.
"I needed to give myself time to get used to conditions," the Queenslander explained afterwards.
"I always knew there was going to be a bit of an adjustment period and Slava's got a game that can take it away from you quite quickly.
"She got a fast start and I was just trying to work my way back into to give myself a chance."
Naomi Osaka's misery on clay continues Meanwhile, World No.2 Osaka slumped to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 loss to American Jessica Pegula in her latest clay court stumble.
The four-time grand slam winner was unable to find her way back into the match after losing the first-set tie-break to her 31st-ranked opponent.
Osaka was playing just her third tournament since winning the Australian Open in February, having also exited in the second round in Madrid earlier this month.
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Post by Admin on May 27, 2021 0:38:57 GMT
Ash Barty and Naomi Osaka have sent tennis fans into a frenzy after sharing a practice session together ahead of the French Open. A handful of viewers at Roland Garros on Wednesday were treated to the rare sight of the world's top two players enjoying a two-hour practice session together. 'INSANE': Naomi Osaka eclipses Serena in historic payday 'THAT'S RIDICULOUS': Tennis fans erupt over Bianca Andreescu news Two men were more interested than anyone, with Barty being closely watched by coach Craig Tyzzer and Osaka being mentored by Belgian Wim Fissette. Barty and Osaka - the World No.1 and 2 respectively - are among the leading contenders to lift the French Open crown, although Polish teenager and defending champ Iga Swiatek is the betting favourite. Barty won at Roland Garros in 2019 before skipping the 2020 edition because of COVID-19 concerns. Barty and Osaka have played four times before, sharing two wins apiece, but they've never met on clay before. Potentially great rivals for the future, both of them gave Paris a miss last year with Osaka also opting not to travel to Europe after her victory in the preceding US Open. If Barty was to be knocked out before the semi-finals and Osaka went on to win the event, the Japanese would take over as World No.1. "Nice to see. I wonder when the top two WTA players last hit together," leading tennis writer Tumaini Carayol tweeted.
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Post by Admin on Dec 4, 2022 22:45:11 GMT
Ash Barty's LAST EVER match on Tour ❤️🩹 Adelaide 2022 Final vs. Elena Rybakina in full!
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