In the lead up to the Roland-Garros final, Ash Barty’s break from tennis to try her hand at cricket in 2014 was a regular topic of conversation. It’s fitting, then, that the Australian hit Marketa Voundrousova for six when the two met on Philippe-Chatrier on Saturday. 6-1, 6-3 that is.
Having swapped the bat for the racquet again in 2016, Barty was ranked outside the top 600 on the WTA Tour. Three years later, the 23 year old has cemented her place in the top 10 and is a Grand Slam champion.
Congratulations to #RG19 champion, @ashbar96! The first major win is so sweet. Proud of you! 🇦🇺 https://t.co/pQ4VLUQCHS
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 8, 2019
The occasion seemed to get to Vondrousova. The Czech, ranked No. 38, struggled to find her rhythm, while Barty was a woman on a mission. In fact, after her victory, the Australian described her performance as “the perfect match”.
The first set saw Vondrousova win just one game – that ironically coming on her opponent’s serve. Barty, meanwhile, was showing a ruthlessness that Rogers Cup presented by National Bank fans will be accustomed to having watched her claim the doubles title in Montreal last year.
She's the #RG19 winner…
It's an @ashbar96 Party! 🏆
She moved past Vondrousova, 6-1, 6-3.
–> https://t.co/EGgJpz33WK pic.twitter.com/Poap9vnNJh— wta (@WTA) June 8, 2019
The second set was bookended by Barty breaks. But the 23 year old didn’t have it all her own way and was forced to work hard to hold her serve in the second game. Perhaps that missed opportunity is what put the final nail in the coffin for Vondrousova.
Either way, it was Barty’s impressive composure that really stole the show as she saw out the match with apparent ease. In winning the French Open, she became the first Australian to do so since Margaret Court in the 1970s.
Never letting go.
@ashbar96 | #RG19 pic.twitter.com/ipLDB1TpfA
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 8, 2019
(Feature photo: Roland-Garros)
