AO - Barty d Sakkari, into round of sixteen

Day 5 of Australian Open 2019, and storms over Melbourne.  Luckily three arenas with roofs, so tennis able to be played.

Opening things on Rod Laver Arena was Australia’s own Ash Barty (15), and her opponent Maria Sakkari from Greece.

Barty served first and missed a volley.  An ace for 15-15. Sakkari hit wide and 30-15.  Barty forehand missed 30-30.  Ace and game point.  Backhand from Barty netted and deuce.  Break point after forehand also found the net.  Saved.  Second break point saved with ace.  Forehand winner and game point.  Another forehand winner and 1-0.

Double fault from Sakkari and a great return from Barty. 0-30.  Three break points following a Greek error.  All three saved.  A Sakkari backhand winner and serve held 1-1.

Barty 30-15 then a long backhand for 30-30.  Ace and big serve for 2-1

Up 40-30, Sakkari put a forehand wide and another into the net.  Break point which was realised. Barty 3-1.  

Down 15-30, Barty suffered a Sakkari winner for break back point and then her backhand found the net.  Barty ahead 3-2 on serve.

Exchange of errors and 15-15.  Two outstanding shots, a lob by Sakkari and an overhead from Barty after a furious chase, with the point eventually going to Australia.  15-30.  Sakkari forehand winner and 30-30.  Game point saved.  Second game point gone.  Forehand set up third game point which was converted for 3-3.

Ace and 15-0. Forehand winner 30-0.  Ace #6 40-0.  Love game for Barty 4-3.  30-0 for Sakkari.  Service winner and three game points.  Love game for Sakkari.  4-4.

Ace 15-0.  Backhand error from Barty 15-15.  Aggression from Barty and two game points.  Hold for 5-4.  Lengthy rally won by Sakkari, followed by her netting a forehand. 15-15.  Ace for 30-15. Double fault and set point.  Saved.  Forehand winner from Sakkari.  Serve held and 5-5.

Down 0-15, Barty won four straight points, finishing with an ace to lead 6-5.  

Behind 0-30, Sakkari won the next four points.  Game point disappeared.  A Barty drop shot produced set point.  A Sakkari backhand found the net and Barty led 7-5.

Barty off court for treatment.

Upon resumption, Barty 15-15.  Forehand winner 30-15.  Ace for 1-0.

Wonderful defence from Barty and Sakkari down 0-30.  Forehand Sakkari winner and 30-30. Top return and break point.  Saved with an ace.  Serve held 1-1.

Aussie aces (now 11) and 30-0.  Three game points for Barty.  Hold for 2-1.

Forehand wide from Sakkari. 0-15. Backhand netted 0-30.  Forehand return with relish. Three break points.  One saved.  Not the next, and Barty led 3-1.

Service winner from Barty and also a forehand winner. 40-0.  A Sakkari backhand winner only slowed the service hold and Barty now led 4-1.

Sakkari missed long and 0-15.  Service winner and 15-15.  Greek error and Australian forehand excellence brought up two more break chances.

Forehand cross court pass from Barty and a double break 5-1.

Barty miss for 15-15.  Sakkari return into the net.  30-15.  Ace and two match points.  One vanished but not the next as a Barty forehand finished the match.

Ash Barty won 7-5 6-1 and through to the round of sixteen at an  Australian Open for the first time.