AO - Night 7 - Barty v Riske

Top seed Ash Barty hadn’t beaten American Alison Riske in their two previous meetings, including last year at Wimbledon, so the Australian was after revenge in the round of sixteen match, Night Seven on RLA, 2020 AO.

Barty began well, holding serve, then breaking Riske for a 2-0 edge. In the fourth game, Riske survived two break points which would have seen her down a double break. That boost to her fortunes continued in the next game where she began with a forehand winner down the line. Barty hit a forehand long and trailed 0-30. A brilliant Riske volley created two break back points. One was saved with an American backhand miss. Barty hit a backhand wide and the break was secured.

Barty found the net and Riske was ahead 15-0, but things went downhill thereafter. Riske missed with a forehand twice, and when a backhand found the net, Barty had two break chances. A forehand winner down the line gave Barty a 4-2 lead.

Quickly to 40-0 to consolidate her break, Barty included a backhand winner and an ace. One game point disappeared, but another ace sealed a 5-2 advantage.

Riske held, but Barty converted the second of two set points when serving for it. 6-3 and half way to a quarter final.

Riske opened set two leaving the disappointment behind her, a love game on serve to start. Barty led 30-15 on her serve, but frittered away that lead with a forehand error and a double fault. The break point was converted with a backhand miss.

At 1-3 Barty had a chance on the Riske serve, but the American won the next four points and held.

At 1-4 and 30-30, Barty hit long with a backhand, and long with a forehand. Riske at 5-1 served successfully for the set and levelled the match 3-6 6-1.

The deciding set began with Barty in better shape, ahead 2-1, games on serve.

The break came in the fourth game, and the top seed was back in control ahead 3-1. After love games, Barty was at he line leading 4-2.

From 30-15, the Australian slipped and Riske broke back. Three games from America in a row saw games at 4-4.

Barty served next and began with two forehand winners. At 40-15, an ace finished the game which moved her to within one of a quarter final.

Riske was passed by a forehand 0-15. A Barty backhand landed long. 15-15. A Riske forehand winner 30-15. Barty forced a backhand error. Riske netted a backhand and it was match point.

Sadly a double fault finished it.

Ashleigh Barty won a quarter final spot 6-3 1-6 6-4.