'Feel for her': Ash Barty demoralises opponent in 'brutal' display
Ash Barty has bulldozed her way into the third round of the Australian Open, taking down Lucia Bronzetti in just 52 minutes on Wednesday.
The Italian was no match for Australia's World No.1 on Rod Laver Arena as Barty produced an array of slices and lob shots in a 6-1 6-1 masterclass.
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One particular lob left Bronzetti completely demoralised in the second set after she'd worked to try and get back into the match.
Barty was forced deep into the corner on the forehand side as Bronzetti approached the net, before the Aussie star produced a beautiful lob winner.
"I would say she's got the best lob in the game," Jelena Dokic said in commentary for Channel Nine.
Co-commentator Sam Smith said: "You have to feel for Lucia.
"One minute she's playing the ball off her toes and next she needs a step-ladder."
Fans flocked to social media in awe of Barty's brutal display.
#1 Ash Barty has lost three games in her first two #AusOpen matches.
Both against qualifiers, but still:
R1: Tsurenko 6-0, 6-1
R2: Bronzetti 6-1, 6-1
Faces last year's Montreal champ #30 Camila Giorgi next.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 19, 2022
Barty's slice.
Insane.— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 19, 2022
Maybe it's hard to serve with sun directly on your eyes, otherwise Barty is so brutal
— Janani ツ (@janu_sportcrazy) January 19, 2022
Ash Barty with yet another strong performance to reach #AusOpen R3. https://t.co/p1kCN07prh
— Erik Gudris (@ATNtennis) January 19, 2022
Everything about Ashleigh Barty is class. #AusOpen @Eurosport_UK 🇦🇺🎾👏
— Stephen Benson (@srbtennisclub) January 19, 2022
Barty is just SO good. everything about her game is in sync and it’s really nice to watch honestly
— aidan (@vamosaidan) January 19, 2022
Ash’s breadsticks are the best kind!
Barty breezes past Bronzetti 6-1 6-1 and will face Giorgi in the 3rd round. 🔥🇦🇺 #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/qIYr4BYUAU— Ash Barty Fan Club (@BartyClub) January 19, 2022
Ash Barty continues incredible start to Australian summer
Triumphant at the season-opening Adelaide International last week, Barty now plays another Italian in 30th seed Camila Giorgi for a place in the last 16 for the fourth-straight year.
Ranked 142nd in the world and featuring in the second round at a grand slam for the first time, Bronzetti was simply no match for the top seed and Open title favourite.
She won only seven points in the first five games before finally getting on the board.
But with Barty once again untouchable on serve, Bronzetti never looked like making many inroads.
The Wimbledon champion broke the Italian five times in securing another emphatic victory in only 52 minutes.
Having dispatched Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1 in the first round, Barty has dropped just three games and spent less than two hours on court en route to the last 32.
It is the fewest number of games she has lost through the opening two rounds of a grand slam in her career, better than last year's Australian Open (seven).
The Australian remains on track for a blockbuster fourth-round meeting with Japanese star Naomi Osaka.
She was quick to pay tribute to her trusted coach Craig Tyzzer for having her prepared perfectly for the Open.
"We are exactly where we are. I felt like we had a good preparation in Adelaide. We played well, played throughout tough matches," Barty said.
"Craig Tyzzer is the master. He's the absolute best in the business and I'm spoilt to have him in my team.
"I'm grateful he has the tactical knowledge and the communication and the way we talk to each other is incredible.
"I feel like our whole team works extremely well together. We're enjoying our tennis and being able to produce some pretty good stuff."
with agencies
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