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Ash Barty is aiming for a second singles title at Adelaide International, after defeating Iga Swiatek in straight sets to reach the 2022 final.
Adelaide, South Australia, January 8, 2022 | Vivienne Christie
Ash Barty’s perfect start to the 2022 season continues, with the world No.1 qualifying today for the Adelaide international singles final.
Barty beat Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-4 to reach a second final in Adelaide, having won his first home trophy in the 2020 tournament.
Home favorite will face No.7 seed Elena Rybakina for a chance to win a 14e WTA Singles Title.
The Queenslander will also compete for the doubles trophy in Adelaide, having teamed up with friend and compatriot Storm Sanders to reach the final at that event.
“It’s unreal,” said Barty, buoyed by the support of an exceptional crowd from Adelaide after her straight-set victory over Swiatek.
“Honestly it’s so much fun playing here tonight and Iga is an exceptional champion. She made me play my best tennis and I felt like we were both playing pretty well.
“There really wasn’t much in it, so I had a lot of fun here with her tonight.”
Double service Sunday 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/hfx60Cx5pg
– Ash Barty (@ashbarty) January 8, 2022
In a battle of Adelaide’s last two champions – Swiatek the 2020 title winner without losing a set – Barty dominated straight away.
The only initial test of any kind for the local 25-year-old came as she saved a breakpoint in Game 4 of the first set. It was one of only two stopping points in the hour and 27 minute contest.
After resisting the initial pressure from Swiatek, Barty created a lot of his own to counter. She got a break in the 20-year-old’s next service game and has easily consolidated.
The accomplished Swiatek, who achieved her Grand Slam breakthrough as the Roland Garros singles champion, appeared increasingly bewildered as Barty won five straight matches to close the opener in 32 minutes.
As Swiatek extended a more competitive second set, she was never able to really find her rhythm against the world No.1.
After giving up a break in Game 3, she increased her aggressiveness and maintained a breaking point in Game 6 – again Barty blocked it, maintaining her momentum to add to her record of wins against opponents of the upper echelon.
This is why it is the no of the world. 1️⃣ and that’s why she is the favorite of the Australian Open! ??
Watch: Channel 9
Blog: https://t.co/AXTFlGX20R
Flux: https://t.co/e8QuuI0cME# 9WWOS #Tennis # AdelaideInternational pic.twitter.com/Azy6na4Pge– Vast world of sport (@wwos) January 8, 2022
In 2021, the Australian recorded seven wins and just one loss against other top 10 stars.
Satisfied with her improvement on three wins in 2022 in Adelaide, Barty is also encouraged by the quality of the opponents she has faced.
“This tournament has been exceptionally difficult throughout,” said the No.1, who recovered from a set and break deficit against Coco Gauff in her first win, before to beat Sofia Kenin and Swiatek in straight sets.
“There certainly weren’t any easy games. I love to compete with the best in the world and tonight was no different.
Finishing with seven aces out of 22 total winners against Swiatek, Barty easily outnumbered his unforced error total of 16. Pole, on the other hand, recorded 31 costly mistakes while racking up 20 winners.
These are satisfying numbers as Barty kicks off her season with a WTA Finals appearance for a second year in a row, the world No.1 also winning the Yarra Valley Classic in her debut tournament in 2021.
THE DAY’S RESULTS
Women’s singles, semi-final
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) D [5] Iga Swiatek (POL) 6-2 6-4
Men’s singles, semi-final
[1] Gaël Monfils (FRA) d [WC] Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 7-5 6-0
FUTURE
Women’s singles, final
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) v [7] Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
Ladies’ doubles, final
Ash Barty (AUS) / Storm Sanders (AUS) v [3] Darija Jurak (CRO) / Andreja Klepak (SLO)
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