Ash Barty has won the Australian Open final 6-3, 7-6 (2) over Danielle Collins to end a 44-year drought for Australian women at their home Grand Slam tournament.
Barty won the first set with one service break but was down 5-1 in the second set after dropping serve in the second and sixth games. Collins had two chances to serve for the set but was broken both times.
Barty dominated after taking the set to a tiebreaker, racing to a 4-0 lead.
It was a remarkable performance from the world No. 1 as she claimed her third grand slam title.
What has been even better is that it’s the third surface Barty has master, having claimed her first title on Roland Garros’ clay surface to win the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon’s grass in 2021 and now Australia’s hard court.
And it was something that didn’t escape one of the greatest players Australia has ever seen as Rod Laver was quick to congratulate the Aussie champion with brilliantly meaningful comment.
“A Grand Slam champion on three different surfaces, you are the complete player
@AshBarty
and I am so happy for you tonight. There’s nothing like winning at home, congratulations #AO2022 champion, it is wonderful to be here for this moment and to celebrate with Australia,” he tweeted.
In an incredible piece of symmetry, New York Times tennis correspondent tweeted that Barty had in fact beaten the same four American players on her way to her French Open win as she defeated in her Australian Open triumph.
After sealing her third grand slam title and first on home soil, there was just one person that Barty wanted to hug. it wasn’t her fiancee Garry Kissick or long-time coach Craig Tyzzer or anyone else in her player box. It was Casey Dellacqua.
Barty and Dellacqua were long time doubles partners, making four grand slam finals together when the 15-year-old Barty joined one of Australia’s best players in Dellacqua.
