Ash Barty storms into last 16 of US Open
Finally! Ash Barty into week two of a grand slam for the first time. Photo: AAP
Ashleigh Barty has smashed her third-round hoodoo to storm into the fourth round of the US Open in New York.
Barty ended the run of giant-killing Czech qualifier Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-4 to reach the second week of a grand slam for the first time.
Beaten only twice in 11 matches during the American hardcourt swing, both times to world No.1 Simona Halep, Barty will play either eighth-seeded 2016 finalist Karolina Pliskova or American teenage prodigy Sofia Kenin.
Yet to drop a set and having faced just eight break points all tournament, the 18th seed has emerged as Australia’s best title hope since Samantha Stosur reigned in New York in 2011.
Muchova had taken out former world No.1 and dual grand slam champion Garbine Muguruza in round two, but had no answer to Barty’s variety and power.
US Open 2018: Aussie wrap up day five: Ash Barty through to fourth round in career-best performance
Can she go all the way?https://t.co/JEZk1E4xaL #usopen pic.twitter.com/KrSKvXWD5t
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 Australia (@sportingnewsau) September 1, 2018
Riding her booming serve, Barty dictated from the get-go, breaking the world No.202 in the second game and charging to a 3-0 lead in the opening set.
She had another break-point chance to go up 5-1 and all but seal the set.
But after missing the moment, Barty was broken out of nowhere to allow the Czech briefly back on serve at 3-4.
The revival didn’t last long, with Barty claiming a second break, then the first set in 33 minutes on Court 5 after the match initially scheduled for The Grandstand was moved to avoid a potential midnight start at Flushing Meadows.
Go Ash Barty you champion. Your slice backhand is a thing of beauty! Worth the price of admission on its own. Australia is right behind you cheering you on at the @usopen!!! #USOpen #GoAussies @ashbar96
— Steve Baldas (@stevebaldas) September 1, 2018
There was little respite in the second set as Barty raced to a 4-0 lead before finally clinching victory on her fourth match point after one hour and 25 minutes.
The Queenslander had fallen in the third round in four of her past seven grand slam appearances.
Barty leads Pliskova head to head and beat 19-year-old Kenin in their only encounter, on clay this year in Charleston.
-AAP
