The second and third games gave Australia some hope after a wobbly nervous start. Casey dropped the first game of the match with some poorly judged doubles shots setting up the Italian girls for easy put aways. Vinci was in serious trouble after a gorgeous lob from Casey and a great cross court pass from Ashleigh but inconsistency from the Australians let Vinci eventually hold that serve.
Vinci consolidated for 5-1 but Ashleigh ensured that the top seeds would need to serve for the set by again holding her serve for 2-5, including a massive forehand winner.
Errani felt little pressure from the Aussies perhaps because there was none, as she served the first set out 6-2 with a beautifully rifled down the line pass to finish it.
Disappointing for Casey and Ash but not a surprise given where the respective teams are in the world of doubles in terms of experience talent and teamwork.
Ashleigh opened the second set with a hold of serve after a tense struggle, saving break points in doing so. Vinci strolled through another game for the Italian team then Casey found a new way to drop serve, this time after leading 30-0 before Italian lob and volley winners preceded elementary errors from an Australian team under immense pressure.
The Italians had made some mistakes today but not in a cluster as in the fourth game on the Errani serve. Poise at last from both Ashleigh and Casey simultaneously,achieved the break and it was 2-2.
Ashleigh played some terrific doubles in the next game, as did Casey and it was service hold number four from four for the sixteen year old. 3-2 the Aussies.
The next two games were exasperating as well as exhilarating. Both Vinci and Dellacqua had every reason to drop serve but held on, and for Casey it was particularly sweet given she had been broken each time until then. Ashleigh continued to blossom as her talent shone on court throughout many pressure exchanges. 4-3 to ABCD.
A stunning return game on Errani's serve by both Australians but especially noteworthy for Barty's shot making, resulted in another break and it was Ashleigh who had the honour/pressure of serving for a set apiece. Incredibly, and after some nervous moments, the set went to the home side 6-3, Casey settling a lot of the nerves with some savvy shot selection.
The roll continued for Australia as they broke the Vinci serve first up in the decider, only for that advantage to be wiped out when the Barty serve was lost for the first time in six attempts. Errani also found conditions difficult but managed to make it without the need for a deuce and the Italians led 2-1 but games on serve.
Casey now more confident on serve levelled at 2-2 with some nice half volleys to complement the excellent net work from Ashleigh, and then the Vinci serve gave us evidence of why the top seeds have that mantle. It was text book doubles and the Australians would need to on their mettle to match that quality.Sadly the rock solid Barty serve was broken for the second time in succession due essentially to unforced errors excceeding occasional safe volleying, and from 15-30 on the Errani serve another three basic mistakes from the Aussies gave the game to the Italians without the top seeds needing to do a thing. 5-2 and closing in.
The next game turned out to be the final game as the inevitability had seeped through to the Australian subconscious.
The Australian Open Women's Doubles Champions for 2013 were deservedly the top seeds Italians Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani 6-2 3-6 6-2.
However, the Australians Casey Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty can be justly proud of their tournament and indeed their debut final at this level.
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