Australia’s Ashleigh Barty has backed up her Australian Open quarterfinal result with another quarterfinal appearance, this time in Paris at the French Open.
In her best showing at Roland Garros after only previously reaching the second round, she defeated USA’s Sofia Kenin 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.
Barty got off to a solid start in the opening set as she raced out to a 4-0 lead. Barty was serving at a high percentage and did not make many errors.
After being two breaks of serve ahead Barty saw Kenin hit back and win a few games late in the opening set before Barty closed it out.
The second set was the reverse of the first set. Kenin got the early break and was hitting with more authority. Barty had a few opportunities to break back in the second set but Kenin held her nerve and levelled the match at a set apiece.
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In the third set it was suddenly Barty that took control. Kenin was not moving as well and started making more errors as Barty cruised towards a quarterfinal spot.
Kenin had no answers and Barty won the deciding set 6-0.
Barty was just behind Kenin with winners throughout the match, it was 28-25, but the unforced errors were 17 for Barty to 29 from Kenin.
Next for Barty is Madison Keys who defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-4.
Two years ago it was Keys that defeated Barty at the French Open in the opening round. Earlier this year Barty levelled their head-to-head tally at 1-1 when she defeated Keys in a Fed Cup match on hard courts.
With the win, Barty jumps to world no. 5 on the live rankings. She can sit just below Naomi Osaka at no. 2 if she can go all the way and lift the champions trophy.
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