Share

Barty fights to title victory at Adelaide International

Adelaide - Ashleigh Barty ended a nine-year Australian home title drought on Saturday with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska at the Adelaide International

The world No 1 became the first Aussie woman to lift a trophy on a home court since Jarmila Wolfe won Hobart in 2011. 

Barty beat 24th-ranked teenager Yastremska in 87 minutes at Memorial Drive to gain a boatload of confidence heading into Monday's start of the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she is top seed.

She was presented the carved wood trophy by a painted Aboriginal elder who blessed with a chant it before it was handed over. 

"The best part about this week is I fought and scrapped my way through and got better and better in each situation, in each match," Barty said. 

"I just put myself in the position to play for another title, which is really exciting. It's been incredible to play at home... I can't wait to get started in Melbourne next week." 

Barty will take to the court at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. 

"It's going to be exciting and a fresh tournament... I have to start with my clean slate for the Australian Open, I'm looking forward to that first round," she said.

Barty won the opening set against her 19-year-old opponent, losing just two points on serve and breaking three times. 

After starting the second set with a break, the Australian momentarily lost her edge, dropping serve for two all. 

But Barty kept up the pressure, earning three break points in the 11th game. One was enough after Yastremska put a backhand wide. 

The next game Barty earned three match points and took the title when her opponent sent a return long over the baseline.

In the men's draw, Andrey Rublev set a record of his own as the Russian crushed South African qualifier Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-0 in 57 minutes.

Rublev, who lifted the Doha trophy last weekend, is the first man since Dominik Hrbaty in 2004 to win two titles in the first two weeks of a season.

The Russian has not lost a match since November - 12 in a row - and stands 8-0 this season. 

"I don't how I've done this," Rublev said of his back-to-back double. "It seems amazing to me.

"I'm so happy with who I've been playing these two weeks, I've really enjoyed my tennis a lot," he added.

"Lloyd and I are the same age but we never played in juniors, so this was our first time. I know how much he also wanted to win.

"I knew this match would be really tough and I'm so happy I won."

Results on day seven of the ATP-WTA Adelaide International at Memorial Drive (x denotes seed):

Men

Final

Andrey Rublev (RUS x3) bt Lloyd Harris (RSA) 6-3, 6-0

Women

Final

Ashleigh Barty (AUS x1) bt Dayana Yastremska (UKR) 6-2, 7-5

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE