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BSP-17
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN-BARTY-SHARAPOVA
Barty downs Sharapova to fire Australia’s Open dreams
MELBOURNE, Jan 20, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Ashleigh Barty stunned Maria Sharapova
to become the first hometown hope in a decade to reach the Australian Open
quarter-finals on Sunday, creating a frenzy in a nation desperate for Grand
Slam success.
Roared on by a fiercely parochial crowd, 15th seed Barty held her nerve in
the face of a late fightback from the Russian five-time Grand Slam champion
for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in the stands cheering for
Barty, along with tennis legend Rod Laver in the centre court arena that
bears his name.
The venue erupted when 22-year-old Barty finally sealed match point with an
ace after Sharapova set Australian hearts racing with a surge towards the end
of the third set.
“The crowd were unbelievable. I’ve never quite played in Rod Laver when
it’s been that full,” said Barty, joking “that was a little bit close, wasn’t
it?” after allowing Sharapova back into the match.
The pressure on Barty was immense and will only intensify ahead of
Tuesday’s last eight clash with Czech Petra Kvitova in a tie involving two of
the sport’s form players.
Australian sporting history is littered with legendary tennis players who
own multiple Grand Slams, including Margaret Court with a record 24, Roy
Emerson with 12 and Laver with 11. But the country’s last female Slam
champion was Samantha Stosur, who claimed the US Open in 2011, and the last
major won by a male was Lleyton Hewitt’s Wimbledon victory in 2002.
No Australian woman has won at their home Slam since Christine O’Neil in
1978 and no man since Mark Edmondson in 1976.
– ‘Nothing better’ –
Jelena Dokic was the last Australian to reach the quarter-final in 2009 and
players such as Stosur have spoken publicly about how huge expectations have
inhibited them at their home Grand Slam.
Locals are so hungry for success that foreign players who have looked like
succeeding Down Under found themselves adopted at Melbourne Park and referred
to as “Aussie” Kim Clijsters and “Aussie” Ana Ivanovic.
Barty is familiar with Australia’s craving. She took a break from tennis in
late 2014 to pursue experiences away from the tour, including playing
professional cricket.
“I needed to take that time away. I feel like I came back a better person
on and off the court, a better tennis player,” she said.
“For me, having that 18 months off was vital.”
Barty said she had talked with her team and felt ready to cope with the
pressure of a deep run at Melbourne Park.
“One of the goals we set out that we wanted to go deep into slams and I
feel like that was the next step for me,” she said. “It’s amazing that it’s
happening in Australia.
“I’ve given myself the opportunity to play in front of the best crowd in
the world on one of the best courts in the world in my home slam. There’s
absolutely nothing better.”
Barty showed her ability to maintain a cool head against Sharapova.
After losing a tight first set, she went on a nine-game winning streak to
take the second before holding off the Russian in the third.
Barty praised the fighting qualities of Sharapova, who was seeded 30th this
year as she tries to rejoin the game’s elite after returning from a 15-month
doping ban in 2017.
“She is an absolute champion,” Barty said of the 31-year-old, who dumped
defending champion Caroline Wozniacki from the tournament in the previous
round.
“She was never going to go away. I knew I had to keep chipping away.”
Barty’s next opponent Kvitova is on a nine-match winning streak including
defeating the Australian in a tight three-setter to decide the final of the
Sydney International warm up.
However, Barty has won seven from eight in 2019 and will be keen for
revenge against Kvitova.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1649 hrs