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Ash Barty crashes out in disaster for Brisbane International

Australian Associated Press

Ash Barty’s Australian summer has begun in inauspicious fashion, stunned in straight sets by America qualifier Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International.

World No.53 Brady backed up her victory over Maria Sharapova on Tuesday to defeat Barty on Pat Rafter Arena 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

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Australia's world No.1 was finally unleashed on the Brisbane International on Thursday, but it was disaster for organisers after the furore surrounding the scheduling of the women’s event.

Barty’s loss came after she had to wait until Thursday to begin her Australian summer, with the men's ATP Cup having a mortgage on centre court earlier in the week.

Ashleigh Barty, pictured here during her loss to Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International.
Ashleigh Barty reacts during her loss at the Brisbane International. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Some of the world's biggest names in women's tennis have not held back over having to play second fiddle to the inaugural men's event at Pat Rafter Arena this week.

It ensured the Brisbane International has been relegated to the Queensland Tennis Centre's outside courts until Thursday - four days after its official start.

US Open champion Sloane Stephens labelled it disrespectful, while dual Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova reckoned it was "not fair".

And five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova claimed it made the Brisbane International look like a "second-hand event".

It's the first time in three matches 24-year-old Brady has defeated Barty, who was guilty of multiple unforced errors throughout.

Jennifer Brady, pictured here celebrating her win over Ash Barty.
Jennifer Brady celebrates her win. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Brady's baseline game was crucial to the win, swinging hard throughout with a rusty Barty unable to break the American's rhythm.

Brady won the opening set 6-4 in 36 minutes, securing the only break of serve of the match in the seventh game of the set.

Barty failed to get close to breaking Brady's serve throughout and couldn't force the match into a third set after a 55-minute second set.

The 23-year-old Australian remains active in the doubles at her hometown event and is in the field for next week's Adelaide International before starting her Australian Open campaign in Melbourne.

The tennis world was rather stunned by Barty’s loss.

Barty not fazed by rough start

Ipswich product Barty is justifiably the poster girl of the tournament after a remarkable 2019 in which she claimed the world No.1 ranking and became the first Australian woman to win the French Open in 46 years.

But Barty reckoned she wasn't feeling the pressure during her Australian Open preparation which will also take in the January 12-18 Adelaide International.

"To be honest, it's not the be-all and end-all," she said of Brisbane International success.

"It's not going to change the way that I prepare. In Adelaide it's not going to change the way that I prepare at the Australian Open.

"I know that I've done all of my work and all of my training well.

"The challenge for me is to come out here and enjoy it."