Published: January 29, 2022 12:53:45
Melbourne VIC, Australia
Ashleigh Barty defeated Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) on Saturday to become the first Australian woman to win the Australian Open singles title in 44 years. Down 5-1 in the second set, Barty mounted a fightback to force the second set into a tiebreaker, which she dominated to win her maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Barty became the first Australian woman to win the Grand Slam since Chris O’Neil in 1978. She was the first homegrown player to reach the final in Melbourne since Wendy Turnbull in 1980.
This is Barty’s third Grand Slam title overall, adding to her Wimbledon 2020 and French Open 2019 titles. She also became only the second active player, after Serena Williams, to have won on all three surfaces.
“This is just a dream come true for me,” the 25-year-old Barty said after her win. “I’m just so proud to be an Aussie.”
Ash Barty of Australia kisses the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Danielle Collins of the U.S., in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia.Danielle Collins, right, of the U.S. talks to chair umpire Marijana Veljovic during the women’s singles final against Ash Barty of Australia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia.Ash Barty of Australia celebrates after defeating Danielle Collins of the U.S., in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia.Ash Barty, right, of Australia is congratulated by Danielle Collins of the U.S., after winning the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. Ash Barty of Australia celebrates after defeating Danielle Collins of the U.S., in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. Ash Barty of Australia waves as she holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Danielle Collins of the U.S., in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia.
