Ashleigh Barty creates history with epic Australian Open title win

An imperious Ashleigh Barty said it was a dream come true after becoming the first Australian to win her home Grand Slam in 44 years on Saturday But the memories made along the way were more important than the trophyThe World No1 was 51 down in the second set against fearless American Danielle Collins but came storming back to win on a tiebreak and sweep past the 27th seed 63 76 72 and be crowned Australian Open championAn emotional Danielle Collins PicAFPIt was a third Slam title for the 25yearold after her breakthrough French Open success in 2019 and Wimbledon last year joining Serena Williams as the only active players to win majors on all three surfaces ldquoItrsquos a dream come true for me and Irsquom just so proud to be an Aussierdquo said BartylsquoItrsquos unbelievablersquoldquoItrsquos incredible time and time again wersquove come so close and now to have my hands on such a beautiful trophy after an exceptional fortnight is just unbelievable But for me itrsquos about the memories more than the trophies Itrsquos the memories we make from the whole journeyrdquo she addedldquoWe her team often talk about it being this incredible journey this great adventure Itrsquos about making those things happen along the way and really enjoying itrdquoBarty achieved the feat with Christine OrsquoNeil the last Australian man or woman to win an Australian Open singles watching in the stadiumOrsquoNeil won the title in 1978 and told reporters before the match ldquoIrsquom probably her Bartyrsquos biggest fan Irsquod be happy to hand it over to her because shersquos so deserving of itrdquoThere were fears Barty might be overwhelmed by the weight of expectation but the Australian has dealt with intense pressure before none more so than at Wimbledon last yearTactical acumenWinning at the All England Club was the one trophy she wanted more than any others and she handled the occasion with aplomb She applied the same tactical acumen with the resurgent Collins who has enjoyed a new lease of life after surgery last year for endometriosis left her pain free storming to her first two WTA titlesldquoBig congratulations to Ash on a formidable tournament a formidable few years reallyrdquo said an emotional Collins who is projected to break into the top 10 for the first time when the new rankings come out on MondayldquoThe way you play and the variety of shots hopefully I can implement some of that into my gamerdquoBarty countered the 28yearoldrsquos powerhitting and big serves with her dizzying array of slices pinpoint serving speed and a seamless forehand but she had a major frightBoth players comfortably held their early service games offering few chances But Collinsrsquo heavy groundstrokes were causing problems for the top seed She worked the first deuce with Barty serving at 22 and a wayward forehand handed her the opening break point of the night The Australian held firm and served out with an aceBarty stepped up a gear and put pressure on the Collins serve to earn her first break point with a net volley and the American double faulted under pressure to go 42 behind With the crowd roaring her on Barty raced home 63Collins gritty tooBut Collins wasnrsquot done and came storming back breaking Barty for 20 in the second setmdashonly the second break of serve against the Australian in the tournamentAnd while Barty made a statement by winning her next service game to love the American was pumped and broke again for 51 Barty was in deep trouble but incredibly found a way back breaking for 25 with some crisp winners then breaking again for 45 as Collins floundered serving for the set for a second timeIt went to a tiebreak where Barty was always in control as she carved out her own little piece of history ldquoI think I just tried to get a lot more aggressiverdquo she said on facing a 51 deficit and the possibility of being taken to a third set for the first time in the tournamentThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever