The impressive Ash Barty feat only matched by Roger Federer

Ash Barty’s head-turning run to the top of the world tennis rankings has been punctuated by another rare feat.

After becoming just the third player to win the Birmingham Classic winning every match in straight sets, another feat by the outstanding Aussie has come to light.

Barty joined Roger Federer as the only player to win three tournaments this year.

Matching a feat achieved only by the Swiss maestro places Barty in rarified air as she prepares for Wimbledon.

Barty ascended to the top rank in women’s tennis after defeating Julia Georges in straight sets in the final at Birmingham, earning enough points to unseat Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

In the process, Barty became the first Australian woman to hold the number one rank since 1976, when Evonne Goolagong Cawley held the top spot.

The 23-year-old joined her mentor and indigenous idol Goolagong Cawley as only the second Australian to reach No.1 since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1973.

A seven-times grand slam champion, Goolagong Cawley sat at No.1 for a fortnight in 1976.

Goolagong Cawley said French Open champion Barty deserved her place atop women's tennis.

"In 2019, with all the pieces in place, her rise has been almost unstoppable," Goolagong Cawley said in a statement on Monday.

"Ash is a very worthy No.1 and winning at the French will have given her even more confidence.

"I am so proud that another Aboriginal player sits on top of the rankings in women's tennis, particularly a young lady who conveys such happiness in all she does."

Margaret Court warns of 'challenge' facing Barty

Tennis legend Margaret Court has hailed Ashleigh Barty's rise to world No.1, but says the 23-year-old now has an even bigger challenge facing her.

Court, a winner of 24 grand slam singles titles, knows all about the pressure of being the world's best player.

Although the WTA rankings system weren't in place during Court's era of dominance, the Australian had no peers when it came to conversations about the best female player in the world.

UNSTOPPABLE: Barty’s feat of perfection in rise to the top

Court was full of praise for Barty's meteoric rise, believing the Queenslander has all the physical and mental tools to succeed long term.

But she said Sam Stosur's 2011 US Open triumph proved that there were no guarantees for long-term glory.

"The challenge now is for Ash to stay there (at No.1)," Court told AAP.

"That's a real champion - to stay at the top, because you saw with Sam, she came through and she won a grand slam, and I thought she would go on and do a lot more.

"Even with the Japanese girl (Naomi Osaka) it will be interesting to see if she'll come back up. She's won a couple (of grand slams) and has played really well.

"That's when the pressure comes, when you're No.1 and you've got to stay there."