Ashleigh Barty has added another match to her winning streak after defeating British wildcard Harriet Dart in her centre-court debut as world number one.
The 23-year-old beat Dart 6-1 6-1 in a 53-minute match on Saturday.
‘It was incredible walking out there,’ Barty said.
Ashleigh Barty has added another match to her winning streak after defeating British wildcard Harriet Dart in a majestic centre-court debut as world number one. Pictured: Barty and Dart post-match
‘A really special moment walking out onto court. One of the best tennis courts in the world. Privileged to be able to play on it.’
The top seed wasted no time in taking control of the court by using explosive forehand winners and drop shots.
She quickly raced to a 5-0 lead before she won the opening set with three aces, and she continued this into the second set.
‘It was really good. I felt like I served really when I really needed to,’ Barty said after becoming the first Australian woman into the last 16 since Jarmila Groth in 2010.
‘I tried to do as best as I could to get a quick start and then keep the ball rolling from there.
‘I said to Harriet this will become your favourite court in the world. It’s certainly mine.’
The top seed wasted no time in taking control of the court by using explosive forehand winners and drop shots
She quickly raced to a 5-0 lead before she won the opening set with three aces, and she continued this into the second set. Pictured: with boyfriend Garry Kissick
After the match in a press conference Barty made a reference to Under The Sea – the song from The Little Mermaid.
She was responding to a question about how she decides what shots to play.
‘I think for me sometimes I look at a shot, I play a shot, I think the seaweed is always greener in someone else’s lake,’ she said.
‘I try and think of how else I can win the point.
‘Really, I just need to go about it, be really simple, make up my mind, pick my spot, hit it, and try and bring a very simple mindset and have this real clarity around how I want to play, but also knowing I have the ability to adapt and play a different shot if I need to.’
She now has a 15-game winning streak – the last ten matches won without dropping a set.
Barty got a standing ovation from Rod Laver for securing a final-16 spot after her win.
If Barty defeats Riske she will potentially face-off against Serena Williams, who also advanced to the fourth round with a straight-sets win. The 37-year-old lavished Barty with praise ahead of their potential show down. Pictured: Williams and Barty at the French Open in 2018
Barty’s efforts will see her face off against American Alison Riske, who is the world number 55, on Monday.
If Barty defeats Riske she will potentially face-off against Serena Williams, who also advanced to the fourth round with a straight-sets win.
The 37-year-old lavished Barty with praise ahead of their potential show down.
‘I’ve always, from the day I played her in Australia, had a tremendous amount of respect for her game,’ Williams said.
‘I just thought she’s just a beautiful player. She has great technique. I love that.’
Williams said she has an appreciation as a technical player when people have the right techniques.
‘I’ve seen her play a lot recently, too. Like I always say, she’s just someone in the locker room that you just always root for,’ Williams said.
‘But in general I have been watching her game because I know that she’s a force to be reckoned with. So I’ve been watching a lot.’
Barty also spoke about her possible match against Williams.
Barty said she was focusing on her match with Alison Riske before she considered the possibility of playing Williams. Pictured: with surfer Stephanie Gilmore
‘I will give the athlete’s answer and say: I’m just going to worry about Alison first,’ the French Open champion said when asked about the prospect of facing the former world number one.
Barty also gave a dignified response to calls Nick Kygrios and Bernard Tomic should follow her lead and take a break from the sport.
‘As I say time and time again, everyone has their own unique journey, their own path they pave. It’s impossible for me to give advice to anyone,’ the 23-year-old said.
‘What I’ve done in my career and my team have worked for us. There have been some tough times, that’s for sure.’
She said there have been incredible moments and at the end of the day if you don’t win it isn’t the end of the world.
Barty is also through to the last 16 of the doubles after teaming with Victoria Azarenka for a 6-2 6-3 win over Rebecca Peterson and Timara Zidansek. Pictured: posing with French Open trophy
‘I still have amazing people around me. We enjoy each other’s company every single day and try to do the best we can every day.’
Barty is also through to the last 16 of the doubles after teaming with Victoria Azarenka for a 6-2 6-3 win over Rebecca Peterson and Timara Zidansek.
All up, Barty has won her past 28 sets in both formats as she continues her bold bid to join Williams and Lindsay Davenport as only the third woman in the past 20 years to claim both the Wimbledon singles and doubles crowns.
Barty is Australia’s last hope in the singles, with John Millman losing his third-round men’s match to American Sam Querrey, a former semi-finalist.