- No 1 seed beats Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) at Melbourne Park
- Barty’s home victory seals a third grand slam title
As Ash Barty took her first steps onto Rod Laver Arena for her first Australian Open final at last, there was already no doubt about the completeness of her game, the integrity that she carries herself with and the historic career she is building before our eyes. But it still remained to be seen how she would handle and digest a moment in her life like nothing before it.
She did so with the composure of a champion who could go on to win so much more. Before an Australian crowd that cheered, groaned, and lived every moment with her on Rod Laver Arena, Barty calmly navigated the fire of Danielle Collins, recovering from a heavy second set deficit to win 6-3, 7-6(2) and win the Australian Open for the first time. 44 years later, Barty is the first Australian to win an Australian Open singles title since Chris O’Neil in 1978. She did not drop a set throughout.
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