World No.1 Ashleigh Barty has finally put to bed one of the biggest droughts in Australian sport, a 44-year wait for a new home-grown Australian Open singles champion, defeating American Danielle Collins in an absorbing women’s final.
The Australian was victorious in straight sets but it was the manner in which the 25-year-old rallied from a seemingly down-and-out position in the second set to recover and close it out without the need for a decider that will be remembered for years, if not decades, to come.
Barty clinched the victory 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) in one hour and 27 minutes, adding the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to her Wimbledon and Roland Garros trophies secured in 2021 and 2019 respectively.
Ashleigh Barty d. Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
