Ash Barty crumbles at crunchtime in Sydney feels encouraged for Melbourne
Just when you think you have it, it slips out of your hands is what Ashleigh Barty probably though when she led in an aggressive opening set she had smelled the flavour of victory, but it was too premature to think of it.
Petra Kvitova knows about coming back. She has done if from tons of matches in the past and from injuries and surgeries so this determination to victory was yet another on her bucket list. The Czech came back just a strong as Barty, in getting the first set 6-1 against her. Kvitova fought in the second set levelling the games at 5-all then gets the break at 6-5. "It's on the line, would you believe it?..." The commentator says as Kvitova's backhand return plops firmly on the baseline away from Barty. There was a challenge from the now seething Barty and as everyone looked on anxiously the Hawkeye showed the proof as the commentator replied: "Oh my goodness look at that, by margins indeed". The Czech wins the second set 7-5 and a decider was in order.
The last set Barty helped Kvitova create errors and the Australian led 3 to 1 but it wasn't long that the Czech took no nonsense and kept tieing the games until 4-all when Barty hits a return in the net, giving her the break of 5-4. But it was some loose and wild errors from Barty, a slamming return that the Australian couldn't handle to close the match and the Czech takes the title in Sydney capturing her 26th career title. Barty wanted the win at home since this was her second chance to do it from last year being in the same spot but it wasn't meant to be. "I left everything out here and it wasn't quite enough", Barty sadly said. But Kvitova graciously replied, "You know, one day you're going to make it for sure". Ash Barty now moves to Melbourne at the Australian Open where she faces in the first round Luksika Kumkhum, a Thailand player that has had many a surprise endings to her matches too. Barty has her work still cut out for her but brings along a dynamic resume strong enough to challenge any player.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2FwanI9
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