She scraped her way through the match, beating Russian Anna Blinkova 6-4-6-3. Australia’s World No. 1 wasnt her best in this match, serving double faults and making numerous errors throughout her game.
Meanwhile, Blinkova was relatively calm and far from being overwhelmed by Bartys top-ranked status or the fact shes playing on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. Barty was quite uncharacteristic in this match, committing nine double-faults, three of which in the first game. The Australian top-rank player was also broken three times.
But she still prevailed, avoiding exit by overcoming Blinkovas serve. She took the match despite battling injuries on her right arm and left hip. Barty admitted to herself that it was not her best serving day, and she was a little out of rhythm. She mentioned Blinkova pushed her hard.
It would have a different story if Blinkova managed to score a few more points. In the past, Barty never made it past Wimbledon’s fourth round. With her win against Blinkova, she will now be moving to the third round playing against Czech Republics Katerina Siniakova.
Ashleigh Barty had an enjoyable 2019, winning her first major at Roland Garros and a Premier Mandatory glory in Miami. For the first time, the 25-year-old tennis player reached top rank. In this years Wimbledon, she said her one big goal is, of course, to win Wimbledon.