Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty's final move against the surprise lady
Ash Barty is one win away from the historic home win at the Australian Open. In the final, the world number one will play against a lady who was not really to be expected in the run-up to the tournament: Danielle Collins .
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 28, 2022, 12:49 pm
1978 - 2022. One thing is certain for Australian tennis fans: "No more years of hurt", as their British football counterparts so beautifully say. The years without a title by a local hero, they should finally come to an end this Saturday in January 2022. Ash Barty, the great dominator of women's tennis in recent years, should also come to Grand Slam title honors on home soil.
For this, it is important to get rid of a player on Saturday with Danielle Collins, who probably nobody really had on the list. The American, who entered the tournament unseeded in Melbourne, benefited on her way to the semi-finals from a veritable death of favorites on her branch, but was also able to play herself into a run when the hour was right.
Barty the big favourite
Which, in turn, took on almost frightening proportions in the semi-final duel with the Pole Iga Swiatek, when the American literally swept her opponent, who was eight years younger, off the field. And thus after Jennifer Brady and Sofia Kenin as the third American in a row to reach the final of the first major event of the year. For the 28-year-old herself it is the first entry into the final of a Grand Slam tournament.
Accordingly, local hero Ash Barty is undoubtedly the big favorite in the duel with Collins. In the world rankings, the Australian is in first place, while Collins can only be found in 30th place. The 25-year-old is also 3-1 in the head-to-head of the two. The last duel, however, went to the American, who defeated Barty in two sets in Down Under in 2021.
The fact is that the women's final will be of great interest to the public. Especially since the capacities in the Rod Laver Arena were increased again shortly before the final weekend, which is why 80% of the seats in the largest stadium in the facility can now be occupied. So it's set for a history lesson on Australian tennis. Or, as our British football colleagues would say: "It's coming home".
Click here for the live ticker for the final!
laver arena