“Time to get the backhand slice out” Ash Barty sets eyes on round 3 of the 2022 Australian Open after thrashing Lucia Bronzetti


“Time to get the backhand slice out” Ash Barty sets eyes on round 3 of the 2022 Australian Open after thrashing Lucia Bronzetti

Ash Barty

World No. 1 and the top-seeded Ash Barty showed why she is the favourite for the 2022 Australian Open this year as she put an absolute one-sided show on Rod Laver Arena against qualifier Lucia Bronzettti winning the match 6-1, 6-1 in just 52 minutes. This win makes it 2 out of 2 straight-set victories at the Slam with both of them coming under an hour.

Barty hit 8 aces and conceded 1 while making 2 double faults whereas Lucia made 5. While Barty’s service was not on point, recovered it during the rallies hitting 21 winners to Lucia’s 6 which turned out to be the difference as both players had 14 unforced errors each. Barty also hit the fastest serve of the match clocking 181 km/hr and won 53 points to Lucia’s 23.

Speaking during her on-court interview, Barty reflected on her relationship with her mentor and fellow native Australian player Evonne Goolagong Cawley and also gave a slight insight on what will be her strategy in the upcoming round of the Slam.

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“She’s an incredible human being. I’m extremely lucky to call her a friend and know she’s only a phone call away. We’re connected through our heritage. She’s an incredible woman and paved a path and been able to guide so many of the indigenous youth coming up in the last however many years throughout her work off the court. I love her to death,” said Barty.

Ash Barty to take on Camila Giorgi in the 3rd round

Ashleigh Barty
Ashleigh Barty

After playing two qualifiers in the first two rounds, Barty will now be up against a Tour regular. Waiting for her in the third round is the 30th seeded Camila Giorgi, who similar to Barty, comes with consecutive straight-set victories. However, unlike Barty who has dropped only 3 games in two matches, Camila has dropped 12.

“She’s an incredible ball striker one of the most athletic girls out here. She is not afraid to stand on the baseline and put you under time pressure from the first strike. I will have to have my running shoes on and get the backhand slice out and bring in variation and see how it goes,” said Barty on the prospect of playing Camila in round 3.

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Also Read: Australian Open 2022: Day 2: Raducanu, Sabalenka, Swiatek sail through round one, Fernandez faces huge upset against Inglis