World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty ended Australia’s 44-year wait for a home Grand Slam champion in style on Saturday in Melbourne.
The top-seeded Barty posted a 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory over American Danielle Collins to become the first countrywoman to win an Australian Open singles title since 1978.
Barty, 25, began her rally from a 5-1 deficit in the second set by winning four consecutive games against her 28-year-old foe. Barty dispatched the 27th-seeded Collins with a forehand winner on championship point to capture her 15th title overall and third Grand Slam crown (2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon).
“As Aussies, we’re exceptionally lucky to be a Grand Slam nation,” Barty said. “To get to experience to play at home is really special, and to be here as a champion of the tournament is really exciting.
“We’re extremely lucky to have the tennis history and the rich history that we do, particularly here at the Australian Open. But across all Grand Slams, we’ve had champions that have stemmed back years and years and years, and have really set the platform for us to come through and try and do what we do and try and create our own path.”
Barty, who improved to 4-1 in her career versus Collins, became the first player to win the Australian Open without dropping a set since Serena Williams in 2017.
Fellow Australian tennis star Evonne Goolagong Cawley presented the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to Barty after her victory.
“I’ve said numerous times I’m so lucky tonight to have numerous people here that love and support me,” Barty said. “I’m a fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner, we started together right from the start. We did it all together, nobody has changed from our team. I love you to death.
“As an Aussie, the most important part of this tournament is being able to share it with so many people and the crowd, you have been nothing short of exceptional.
“This crowd is one of the most fun I’ve ever played in front of and you guys brought me so much joy today and helped me play my best tennis, so thanks for all your love and support over the last couple of weeks. This is a dream come true for me and I am so proud to be an Aussie.”
Barty recorded a 10-1 advantage in aces and won 82 percent of her first serve points to put away Collins, who was making her first Grand Slam final appearance.
“It’s not easy going out and playing someone pretty much on their home court, on home soil, in the finals of a major, but this is what we live for in sports, right?” Collins said. “These are incredible moments that you don’t get to experience very often.”
–Field Level Media