Muristek
MELBOURNE, January 29
Ash Barty tamed big-hitting American Danielle Collins to win the Australian Open today and end the home nation's 44-year wait for a singles champion.
Collins wipes tears while addressing the crowd. ReutersBarty's adoring fans, many of them in green and gold, flocked to Melbourne Park in anticipation of celebrating 'Australia Day' for a second time in three days.
The 25-year-old did not disappoint and she had fans all around Australia roaring and jumping for joy when she fought back from 5-1 down in the second set to complete a 6-3 7-6(2) victory and win her third Grand Slam title.
She became the first Australian to be crowned singles champion at the Grand Slam since Chris O'Neil captured the women's title in 1978.
O'Neil was present in the stands cheering as the crowd on the flooodlit Rod Laver Arena erupted when Barty converted her first matchpoint with a forehand crosscourt winner and screamed "Yes" in delight.
Fittingly, organisers had arranged for Barty to receive the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup from her idol, mentor and fellow indigenous Australian, Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
"This is a dream come true for me, and I am so proud to be an Aussie," said Barty, who teared up when Goolagong Cawley was announced as the trophy presenter.
Barty came into the contest having won 11 of her past 13 finals and had conceded just 21 games during the past fortnight, dropping serve only once. She also had a 3-1 head-to-head lead against the 28-year-old American. — Reuters
Ash Barty lets out a roar after beating Danille Collins to the title. Reuters0sets Barty hadn't dropped a set and had only conceded one service game through six matches, against American Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round.
1st Barty is the first Australian woman into the singles final here since Wendy Turnbull in 1980 and the first Australian champ since Chris O'Neil in 1978.
3 titlesBarty now has three Majors on three surfaces — the other two being Wimbledon last year and at the French Open in 2019.
This is just a dream come true for me. I'm an incredibly fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner...thank you for believing in me .As an Aussie, the most important part of this is being able to share it with so many people. — Ashleigh Barty
Unfortunately it didn't go my way, but I did everything I could, and that's all you can do at the end of the day. I really admire Ash as a player and the variety of your game. Hope, I can implement some of that into mine. — Danille Collins
A complete player
A Grand Slam champion on three different surfaces, you are the complete player @AshBarty and I am so happy for you tonight. — Rod Laver, Australia tennis great
1st Australian to win an #AusOpen singles title since Chris O'Neil's win in 1978. What a special day for Australia! Congratulations, @ashbarty! BILLIE JEAN KING, former world no. 1
There is just no better tennis player at the moment than @ashbarty. Most complete and focused! The way she's able to put pieces together and add to her game is absolutely admirable! VICTORIA AZARENKA, two-time grand slam winner
Special 'Ks'
Melbourne: The "Special Ks" show at the Australian Open ended on a high after Australians Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed their first Major title by defeating compatriots Max Purcell and Matt Ebden in the men's doubles final today. Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, nicknamed the "Special Ks" as juniors, entertained the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena with a 7-5 6-4 victory under the lights. They are the first wildcard team to win the Australian Open men's doubles title in the professional era. reuters