Ash Barty eased into the third round of the Australian Open with the minimum of fuss on Wednesday, overwhelming Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.
The top seed hammered 11 winners to wrap up the first set in 25 minutes and was equally dominant in the second, sealing the victory in under an hour when her opponent netted a backhand.
Bronzetti, the world number 142, failed to muster up a single break point over the contest as the Wimbledon champion lobbed, sliced and pounded her into submission in the bright Melbourne sunshine.
"I felt like we had a good preparation in Adelaide. We played well, played throughout tough matches. (My coach) Craig Tyzzer is the master," said the two-time Grand Slam champion.
"I feel like our whole team works extremely well together. We're enjoying our tennis and being able to produce some pretty good stuff."
Barty, hoping to end Australia's 44-year wait for a homegrown women's champion, next faces another Italian in Camila Giorgi, with defending champion Naomi Osaka potentially waiting in the fourth round.
Defending Champion Osaka in third round after straight-sets win
Defending champion Naomi Osaka overcame a second-set blip to beat American Madison Brengle 6-0, 6-4 and reach the third round of the Australian Open, staying on course for a potential fourth-round clash with world number one Ash Barty.
The Japanese 24-year-old, who also won the Melbourne Park title in 2019, will next meet 60th-ranked American Amanda Anisimova with a mouthwatering clash against Australian Barty potentially waiting in the round of 16.
Brengle won just nine points in the first set as an aggressive Osaka served superbly, facing no breakpoints, and returned strong to breeze through the set in just 20 minutes.
The 54th-ranked Brengle, 31, had a big smile as the Rod Laver Arena crowd cheered her first service game win at the start of the second set as Osaka's game dipped.
But the two-time U.S. Open winner soon regained control and sealed the win after 65 minutes on her first match point with a second break of serve in the set.
Badosa powers through
In-form eighth seed Paula Badosa, who won the Sydney warm-up tournament, also powered through against an Italian qualifier, Martina Trevisan, 6-0, 6-3.
It was Badosa's seventh match in 10 days but the Spaniard said she was holding up well.
"(I feel) pretty good," said the new world number six, who only broke into the top 20 for the first time in October last year.
"It wasn't an easy match. It was a tricky match against Martina. We know each other since long time. She's a fighter. I'm pretty happy about the win today."
Anisimova through
Amanda Anisimova is revelling on the hardcourts at Melbourne Park, stretching her winning streak here by advancing to the third round of the Australian Open.
The 20-year-old American took less than 90 minutes to beat Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic 6-2, 7-5 to set up a potential third-round match against defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.
Anisimova warmed up for her 12th Grand Slam appearance by winning five matches and the title at a WTA 250 tune-up event at Melbourne Park earlier this month.
(With inputs from AP)
Comments
SHARE