Simona Halep prevails over Ashleigh Barty in Adelaide

After not competing for almost a year, world no. 1 Ashleigh Barty stepped on the court in Adelaide on Friday, facing world no. 2 Simona Halep. The Aussie made a strong start before the Romanian raised her level and brought the victory home in the deciding match tie break. Finding her forehand in the clash's initial part, Ashleigh held in the first game with a winner from her more substantial wing before Simona got her name on the scoreboard with a service winner in game two. The home favorite hit two winners at deuce in game three to remain in front and held at deuce at 2-2 to bring the pressure back to the other side. Halep got broken in game six following a forced mistake, allowing Barty to open a 5-2 gap with an ace a few minutes later.

Serving for the set, Ashleigh landed a service winner in game nine to take the opener 6-3 in 29 minutes, looking sharp on the court so far and hoping for more in set number two. The Aussie created a break chance in the second set's first game with a return winner, denied by the Romanian, who got out of jail to save the game and end her downfall. That was the turning point, as Simona started to play much better in the rest of the encounter.

Simona Halep defeated Ashleigh Barty in three sets in Adelaide.

Halep held at 15 in game three and grabbed a break in the next one following a massive mistake from Barty at the net. World no. 2 held at love to open a 4-1 gap and scored another break soon after that following a terrible smash from Barty at the net.

Serving at 5-1, Simona closed the set with a service winner and introduced a match tie break. The rivals traded six mini-breaks in the opening ten points to stay locked at 5-5 before Halep opened a 7-5 gap with a forced error. Barty pulled it back in the 14th point when Simona's forehand landed long and spoiled all that at 8-8 following a loose forehand that found the net. Serving at 9-8, Simona constructed a beautiful attack and sealed the deal after forcing a mistake from Ashleigh, making a winning start ahead of the Melbourne trip and hoping for more at the Australian Open.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3tfsnNJ