World No.1 Ash Barty wins first title of Australian summer of tennis
Ash Barty has clinched his second Adelaide International title in three years to make a perfect start to his 2022 season.
The world number one defeated 14th-ranked Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to highlight the strong contenders for the Australian Open title.
Her straight-sets victory over the Kazakhs made Barty's record super impressive 17-1 against top-20 rivals from the beginning of last year.
The top-seeded home hopeful also defeated teenage prodigy Coco Gauff, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofin Kenin and 2020 French Open winner Inga Swietek to win the 14th trophy of her career.
Ahead of the Open starting January 17, Barty will look to confidently participate in this week's Sydney Tennis Classic.
How's that to start a season? 😉@ashbarty is your 2022 Adelaide International champion! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZARSmhgUkY
— wta (@WTA) January 9, 2022
One of the heaviest hitters in women's tennis, Rybakina challenged Barty early, knocking down the fastest serve of the tournament as the game went 3–3 with the serve.
Barty found himself at double break point 15-40 in the seventh game.
But, as she has done all tournaments, the world No. 1 produced her best tennis while under the gun to serve with an ace, an inspired error and two huge crosscourt forehands.
Frustrated at missing his moment, Rybakina dropped her own serve in the next game, which was hit by a flurry of unforced errors as Barty took a 5–3 lead.
Buzzing to be back ⚡️@ashbarty #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/gQ1WliZyg8
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 9, 2022
🇦🇺 ASH 🏆 BARTY 💪
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 9, 2022
The world No.1 is bringing home her second #AdelaideTennis singles title, and third @WTA singles trophy on Aussie soil.
Congratulations, @ashbarty. Building nicely for a big #AO2022 campaign. pic.twitter.com/uKHIdE4dn0
Also champion at Memorial Drive in 2020, Barty closed the set for Love after 29 minutes.
Momentum firmly in her favour, Barty secured another break in the opening game of the second set as Rybakina's double faulting proved costly.
The match was completely over when Barty secured a double break for a 4–0 lead, before Rybakina formally submitted after just 64 minutes.
Wimbledon champion Barty has a chance to complete a tournament double when she teams up with fellow Australian Storm Sanders against Darija Jurak Schreiber and Andreja Klepack in Sunday night's doubles final.
Young gun wins Melbourne title with Australian coach
Amanda Anisimova rallies to defeat Aliaksandra Sasnovi 7-5 1-6 6-4 to claim her second career WTA title in the Melbourne summer set.
The American 20-year-old came down 2-4 in the first set and 0-3 in the decider to claim the trophy and her first title in nearly three years.
An ace to close it out 😎
— wta (@WTA) January 9, 2022
🇺🇸 @AnisimovaAmanda captures her second career title with a three set victory over Sasnovich!#MelbourneTennis pic.twitter.com/9wO2e0dLmk
Raise it high 🏆@AnisimovaAmanda | #MelbourneTennis pic.twitter.com/OMqWSnNU03
— wta (@WTA) January 9, 2022
Anisimova broke down at the 2020 Australian Open, her first appearance at a major since the sudden death of her father.
A French Open semifinalist and former world No. 21, the current No. 78 returned to some of her best form at Rod Laver Arena for the Australian Open lead-up event.
"I want to thank Melbourne, I've always loved playing here and I look forward to having some more wonderful weeks here," Anisimova said.
“Tennis can be a tough journey sometimes but I am so happy and grateful to have people in my life.
“Last year was very difficult and they (mother and sister) stood by me all the way. It's great to start the year in such a good place, I'm so grateful."
Amanda Anisimova reached out to Darren Cahill in the off-season and has really enjoyed his help this week in Melbourne. “We’re just starting out & getting to know each other. We’ll see how it goes and hopefully it could become a long-term thing. I’m hoping that will be the case."
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 8, 2022
Anisimova benefited this week from the services of Australian coach Darren Cahill, who has proudly led Liton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep to a successful career.
Halep defeated Veronika Udermatova 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the second summer set on Sunday.
The new tournaments were a compromise in the COVID-affected build-up at this month's Australian Open.
