Ashleigh Barty (8) (Australia) v Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic)
Having won the previous two matches between the pair - on grass in Birmingham in 2017, and on hard court in Cincinnati last year, Barty began slight favourite. Vondrousova has yet to play on Court Philippe-Chetrier, whereas Barty was familiar with the stadium, also having experienced a Grand Slam crowd there in a final, albeit in doubles with Casey Dellacqua in the past. To win. Barty would need to win a couple of sets off the Czech teenager who had not dropped any in her six matches to date.
As was the case in her semi final, it was Barty who settled best, and how. After an ideal service hold to open proceedings, the eighth seed overwhelmed a somewhat passive Vondrousova with her renowned variety of shotmaking presenting itself from the getgo. The break arrived with the second of two chances, and Barty led 2-0.
A love game consolidated the position, but in the back of Barty’s mind would be the knowledge of how she let slip a 5-0 and two set points lead against Anisimova. So a double break was something she craved.
Twice, that outcome appeared likely, but Vondrousova shut the gate each time, firstly with Barty hitting the net via a forehand, then by means of a deft Czech drop shot. However, the continued pressure from the Aussie forced open the door when a third break point was introduced, and it was time for Vondrousova to find the net with her backhand. Barty leapt to 4-0
Having brought herself more into the contest, Vondrousova replicated the previous game by inflicting a break back, also doing the job on the third of three break opportunities.
Outwardly appearing unperturbed, Barty raced to three break points to lead 5-1, but couldn’t use any of those to take the extra step for a double break. On the fourth break chance, created by an Aussie off forehand winner, Vondrousova delivered a poor forehand which failed to clear the net, and Barty restored the double break.
Serving for the set at 5-1, Barty quickly reached two set points, and clinched a 6-1 advantage on the second of two set points, a massive forehand sealing it.
Two noticeable changes highlighted the opening three games of set two, and explain to a fair degree, the lengthy process in deciding the outcome of each. The drop in Barty’s level of tennis was to be expected at some stage, and Vondrousova was much more competitive, if still a little reticent to play her full complement of attacking shots.
Barty may not have been as dominant in general play, but she retained the knack of winning the key points. Vondrousova had game point on two occasions in game one, but those chances vanished, and Barty only required one look at a break chance before converting for a 1-0 lead. Four game points disappeared as Barty tried to consolidate the break, and Vondrousova created a break point after a brilliant return and follow up overhead at the net. Barty controlled the net to escape the danger, and held for 2-0.
Vondrousova saved two break points and these were the last problems for either player on serve, statistically at least, for the next stanza of the match. Not the best news for Vondrousova, who remained the one break of serve behind at 3-5.
At the line, in a bid to stay alive in the match, the Czech star of the future led 40-15. Then Barty upped the ante, a forehand pulling Vondrousova way out into another suburb, allowing an easy put away into open court. A drop shot was run down by Barty who put a backhand past the Czech racquet. Deuce.
A failed backhand gave Vondrousova a slim hope. Slimmer after some stirling defence and ultimately a winning Aussie backhand pass. Match point after a Vondrousova forehand hit the net.
Barty ended the match with a forehand overhead into open court.
Ashleigh Barty won Roland Garros 2019 in straight sets, 6-1 6-3 and will move up the rankings to world #2.
She is the first Australian since Margaret Court in 1973 to win the Roland Garros Womens Singles title.
Prior to the Women’s Final, Dominic Thiem (4) outlasted Novak Djokovic (1) in a rain interrupted five setter semi final 6-2 3-6 7-5 5-7 7-5, and will meet Rafa Nadal in the final as he did last year.
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