Australia’s world No.1 Ash Barty is through to the quarter finals of her home Open.
Barty took care of young American talent Amanda Anisimova 6-4 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena.
She won the sole service break of the first set, but was troubled in the second by the 20-year-old, who had knocked out defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka in round three.
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Anisimova broke Barty to hold a 2-0 advantage in the second set, before Barty broke back twice to close out the victory.
Incredibly, prior to that Barty had not had her service game broken in 62 consecutive games.
She now takes on another American, Jessica Pegula, in the quarter finals.
https://twitter.com/brett_graham/status/1485184228568735744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“A plan executed to perfection,” Sam Smith said on Nine’s coverage.
“The scoreline looks straightforward… but she knows she’s been in a battle.”
The young American presented a serious challenge, but that wasn’t unexpected given her feat against Osaka only two days earlier.
“Ash did a fantastic job to come out and execute exactly what I know her and her coach, Craig Tyzzer, would’ve spoken about: exposing that forehand side of Anisimova, mixing it up, using her variety,” Casey Dellacqua said.
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Anisimova has already established herself as one of women’s tennis’ best up and coming young players.
Barty was full of praise for her vanquished opponent after the game.
“She’s an incredible athlete, an incredible competitor,” Barty said.
“One of her best attributes is she turns up point after point after point. It’s just nice to see her back playing her best tennis.
“She’s a champion. She’s going to be in a lot of deep stages of a lot of majors in her future, that’s for sure. I enjoy sharing the court, testing my game against her.”
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