Australian Open 2021: Ash Barty cruises to victory to book third round spot in Melbourne grand slam

World number one Ashleigh Barty is through to the third round of the Australian Open after another crushing win.

The Aussie tennis sensation blitzed past Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti with a 6-1 6-1 victory in straight sets at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena in less than an hour.

The Wimbledon title winner is now one game away from a fourth round blockbuster against her biggest rival, defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.

She paid tribute to the crowd who cheered both Barty and her Italian opponent on in their centre court clash.

‘It was absolutely incredible,’ Barty said post-match.

She said to me at the net it was a lot of fun out here and enjoyed the experience.

‘You guys have got so much to do with that. Thank you from both of us and genuinely we loved it out here.’ 

The win extends Barty’s unbeaten run in 2022 to six matches, including an Adelaide International title earlier this month.

Barty is happy with her season so far and paid tribute to her team and coach Craig Tyzzer.

She has dropped just three sets in her first two games in her home grand slam.

‘We are exactly where we are,’ Barty said.

Ash Barty has dropped just three games in the first two rounds of the Australian Open

‘I felt like we had a good preparation in Adelaide. We played well, played throughout tough matches. 

‘Craig Tyzzer is the master. He’s good in the business and I’m spoiled to have him in my team. Grateful he has the tactical knowledge communication and the way we talk to each other is incredible. 

‘I feel like our whole team works extremely well together. We’re enjoying our tennis and being able to produce some pretty good stuff.

Barty also spoke about her close bond with indigenous tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley and described her as an incredible human being.

‘I’m extremely lucky to call her a friend and and know she’s only a phone call away,’ she said.

‘We have special anniversaries. We’re connected through our heritage. 

‘She’s an incredible woman and paved a path and been able to guide so many of the indigenous youth coming up in the last however many years throughout her work off the court. I love her to death.’

The world number one (left) blitzed past Italy ‘s Lucia Bronzetti (right) in straight sets

The Queenslander will now take on Italian 30th seed Camila Giorgi on Friday.

‘She’s an incredible ball striker one of the most athletic girls out here,’ Barty said of her third round opponent.

‘Not afraid to stand on the baseline and put you under time pressure from the first strike. I will have to are have my running shoes on get the backhand slice out and bring in variation and see how it goes.

Barty’s best result at the Australian Open was the semi finals two years ago, where she became the first Australian women in 24 years to reach the final four.

The sports star also stuns on the cover of this month’s issue  of Vogue Australia, swapping her tennis whites for high-end fashion in a glamorous photo shoot.

Barty also spoke about her close bond with indigenous tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley in Wednesday’s post-match interview, describing her as an incredible human being