MIAMI, March 31, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Ashleigh Barty’s transformation is
complete after the Australian defeated Czech fifth seed Karolina Pliskova 7-6
(7/1) 6-3 Saturday to win the biggest singles title of her career at the WTA
Miami Open.
The 22-year-old Aussie quit tennis five years ago after finding the mental
grind of the tour too much to bear, turning to professional cricket in a bid
to find sporting happiness.
Barty, however, knew she had the tennis skills to compete at the very top
and after returning in February 2016, has taken her career to an elite level,
culminating in her first-ever WTA Premier Mandatory title to follow on from
the US Open doubles crown she won last September.
Barty, a junior Wimbledon winner at age 15, will rise from 11th to number
nine in the world rankings and become the first Australian woman since Sam
Stosur in June 2013 to crack the top 10.
“It feels like it’s a long time ago now since I took the break and since I
came back,” said Barty, who also reached the doubles semi-finals at the Hard
Rock Stadium with Victoria Azarenka.
“It’s been a few years now, but I certainly feel like I’m a very different
person. I feel like I’m a more complete player, I’m a better player.
“I was an average cricketer and I’m becoming a better tennis player. “I
feel like when I play my best, I’m good enough to match it with the very best
in the world.”
Barty hit 15 aces and 41 winners compared to 22 from an out-of-sorts
Pliskova.
“I had to keep it physical, make as many balls as possible and keep my
running shoes on,” Barty said.
Barty’s victory means that for the first time ever there have been 14
different winners in 14 WTA events so far this season.
Pliskova, who will rise to fourth in the rankings despite a disappointing
final, badly struggled with her serve and movement, off the pace mentally and
physically after reaching the quarter-finals or better in her five prior
tournaments this year.
“She played well and I was super tired,” said the Czech. “The conditions
were different to the night matches I played. For sure I could play better
but she went for it in the tie-break.
“The first set was key for the match and one I should have won.It was tough
to fight in the second.”
The 27-year-old Czech , who beat Barty 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 16 at last
year’s US Open, came into the final with 31 aces, most in the women’s draw,
but she won only 65% of points on her first serve compared to 86% from Barty.
“She served great,” said Pliskova who defeated Simona Halep in the semi-
finals and denied the Romanian the chance to reclaim the world number one
ranking.
– ‘Amazing fortnight’ –
When the Australian double faulted at 1-1 to hand Pliskova an early break,
it wasn’t the start Barty sought and more errors in the following game
allowed Pliskova to extend her lead.
Barty then began to settle down and crisply struck a forehand winner to
break Pliskova for the first time.
The Aussie started superbly in the tie-breaker, moving 5-1 ahead before
Pliskova hit long to seal the set for Barty, who broke early in the second
set to signal it would be her day.
“It’s been an amazing fortnight of tennis and it’s pretty cool to have
played a good match on such a big stage.
“It was always going to be a match of small opportunities so getting the
first set was massive.
“There were zero expectations coming into this tournament, I just saw it as
an opportunity to get better every day but I have grabbed my chance with both
hands.
“I am proud of myself,” she said.