Status: 07/10/2021 5:20 p.m.
Ashleigh Barty won the tennis classic at Wimbledon for the first time in her career. In a high-class final, she won against Karolina Pliskova.
One hour after midnight local time in Queensland, Australia, home of Ashleigh Barty, the “Barty Party” began: The world number one converted the first match point to 6: 3, 6: 7, 6: 3 after 1:55 hours and won for the first time the title at the Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon – ten years after triumphing at the Wimbledon Juniors.
Barty first Australian winner after Goolagong Cawley
Barty, who had eliminated Angelique Kerber in the semifinals, won the singles title on Church Road on Saturday (July 10th, 2021) as the first Australian since 1980. At that time Evonne Goolagong Cawley had triumphed, one of the great role models of the world number one, who also has indigenous roots. She even had a dress tailored for Wimbledon, based on the dress that Goolagong had worn 50 years ago when she won her first Wimbledon victory.
Second Grand Slam triumph
“She means a lot to me. I hope I could make her proud,” said Barty at the awards ceremony. Previously, following the tradition of Pat Cash, another Australian Wimbledon champion, she had climbed across the rows of seats into her players box. For Barty it is the second triumph in a Grand Slam tournament after the success at the French Open 2019.
“I didn’t sleep much last night,” said Barty. She was so nervous that she always had to think about the great chance of finally being able to win at Wimbledon. And thanked the audience: “You helped me, when I came on the pitch, it felt like a second home.”
The 29-year-old Pliskova, one of Barty’s predecessors at the top of the world rankings, on the other hand, has to wait for her first major title after losing the 2016 US Open final to Kerber.
For the first time since 1977, two players faced each other in the Wimbledon final who had never made it to the final of the most important grass tournament.
Barty dominant in the first sentence, Pliskova “like frozen”
The world number one dominated at the beginning in an almost frightening manner, taking Pliskova off the first two service games. Only when the score was 0: 4, the Czech came to her first points in the match. “It plays like frozen,” said John McEnroe, who was a co-commentator for the “BBC” in action. Barty took the first set 6: 3 in just 28 minutes – much pointed to a short afternoon.
Thrilling final at Wimbledon
In the second set it was a final at eye level. Pliskova returned more courageously and found her strong serve again. With a score of 5: 5, she missed the chance to lead 6: 5, frivolously with a volley error, and conceded the break. The 29-year-old saved herself in the tie-break. There she only tore the Center Court from her seat after a spectacularly won duel on the net – and then managed to equalize the set.
In the third set it was Barty who countered successfully. The Australian grabbed the break and was quickly 3-0 up. The world number one now controlled the action again, with outstanding length in the basic strokes, and repeatedly punished Pliskova with her tough forehand. Barty kept her service – and deservedly brought the match home.
Source: sportschau.de