Long hiatus from the tour, but Ash Barty still on top of rankings
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Ash Barty played in the 2021 Yarra Valley Classic tournament after an eleven month hiatus from the WTA Tour. This hiatus was an enforced one, because the Australian government had decided to seal its borders as the Covid virus started spreading. In the interim period she missed the French Open, and the US Open. But still, with the suspension of the WTA Tour for a few months, and freezing of ranking points, Ash Barty continues to remain the no.1 player in the women’s division.
This has not gone down well with certain sections of the media, one particular journalist, Christopher Clarey of the New York times, has tweeted and questioned the wisdom of the process. His direct question was, is Barty the real no.1 ?One has to point out that in the interim period, Naomi Osaka has won both the US Open 2020, and the Australian Open 2021. And most people believe she is the real no.1.
Ash Barty and the Australian Summer
Barty came into the Australian Open in terrific form. She had won the warmup event, 2021 Yarra Valley Classic, beating Garbiñe Muguruza in the finals, 7-6 6-4.
Her start to the Australian Open 2021 was great as well. She beat Danka Kovinić 6-0 6-0 in the first round. In the second round she defeated Daria Gavrilova 6-1 7-6. She overcame Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2 6-4 in the third round. In the fourth she beat Shelby Rogers 6-3 6-4, but Karolína Muchová beat her in the Quarter Finals 1-6 6-3 6-2.
Her early exit from the Australian Open 2021 gave her the opportunity to participate in the ATP Adelaide International. Winner from the previous year, she was given a late wild card for the event. As per protocol at the event, she even got a bye in the first round. In the second round she will face Danielle Rose Collins of the United States.
Read More: With Novak Djokovic winning his 18th Grand Slam title at the age of 33, is the GOAT debate settled?
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