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'Crazy' detail emerges in Ash Barty triumphs three years apart

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Ash Barty, pictured here after winning the French Open in 2019 and Australian Open in 2022.
Ash Barty beat the same four Americans in winning the French Open in 2019 and Australian Open in 2022. Image: Getty

When Ash Barty won the French Open in 2019 for her first grand slam triumph, she took down four Americans on her way to the title.

The Australian star beat Jessica Pegula in the first round, Danielle Collins in the second, Madison Keys in the quarter-finals and Amanda Anisimova in the semis.

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On her way to the Australian Open title on Saturday night, Barty also had to go through four Americans.

And once again they were Pegula, Collins, Keys and Anisimova.

This time she beat Anisimova in the fourth round, Pegula in the quarters, Keys in the semis and Collins in the final.

She actually beat five Americans at Roland Garros in 2019, adding Sofia Kenin to her list of scalps in the fourth round.

But the fact that she beat the same four players on her way to both titles is downright unthinkable.

"Crazy that Barty beat the same four American players when she won the French Open and Australian Open," American journalist Christopher Clarey tweeted on Saturday night.

However the spooky anomalies don't stop there.

Barty became the first Australian to win their home grand slam in 44 years, beating Collins 6-3 7-6.

The last local player to win the Australian Open was Chris O'Neil in 1978, when she beat Betsy Nagelsen in the final by the exact same scoreline 6-3 7-6.

And just to top things off, Nagelsen is the former coach of Collins.

World delights in Ash Barty's Australian Open triumph

The tennis and wider sporting worlds are delighting in Barty's amazing triumph after the World No.1's historic victory.

Men's tennis great Rod Laver posted a photo on Twitter with Barty, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, O'Neil and Judy Dalton and hailed the 25-year-old's "special" achievement.

"A Grand Slam champion on three different surfaces, you are the complete player @AshBarty and I am so happy for you tonight," he tweeted.

"There's nothing like winning at home, congratulations #AO2022 champion, it is wonderful to be here for this moment and to celebrate with Australia."

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka hailed the brilliant 25-year-old.

"There is just no better tennis player at the moment than @ashbarty," Azarenka tweeted.

"Most complete and focused! The way she is able to put pieces together and add a bit more to her game is absolutely admirable!

"What an example!"

Danielle Collins and Ash Barty, pictured here with Evonne Goolagong Cawley after the Australian Open final.
Danielle Collins and Ash Barty with Evonne Goolagong Cawley after the Australian Open final. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images) (TPN via Getty Images)

Australian tennis legend Sam Stosur, who marked her 20th and final singles appearances at Melbourne Park, delighted in her compatriot's success.

"I am speechless. You can't be speechless on radio but I am," Stosur said on SEN radio.

Many delighted in seeing proud Ngarigo woman Barty enjoying the moment alongside her idol Goolagong Cawley and athletics great Cathy Freeman - fellow Indigenous women.

"Ash. Evonne. Cathy. A triumvirate of brilliant women," Australian netball great Liz Ellis tweeted.

with AAP

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