Australia’s Ash Barty started her 2019 WTA season with a cruise on Sydney Harbour with four Grand Slam champions. Today in Paris she added herself to that honour roll.
Barty cruised to victory against Czech player Marketa Vondrousova, claiming the title 6-1, 6-3.
A long drought has ended in Paris with Margaret Court being the last Australian woman to claim the singles title back in 1973.
Barty dominated from the start, racing through the first set. In the second set, Barty started making more unforced errors, but the Czech player could not take advantage.
Both players served well, but it was a more composed Barty that controlled the points.
Vondrousova attempted to break Barty’s rhythm as she played a few drop shots, but Barty on most occasions was able to win the point.
Barty is the first Australian to win a grand slam singles title since Samantha Stosur won the US Open in 2011.
With the win, Barty will sit at no. 2 on the singles rankings after starting the year at no. 15. She is just 136 rankings points away from the top spot.
Barty had 26 unforced errors to 22 but also hit 27 winners to 10.
Vondrousova needed to be a lot more aggressive in this match. She showed glimpses of what was possible but seemed to play within herself.
All credit to Ash Barty, a true champion.
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