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World No.1 Ashleigh Barty has made a losing start to 2020, stunned by American giantkiller Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International.
The world No.53 qualifier backed up her victory over Maria Sharapova on Tuesday to defeat Barty in straight sets on Pat Rafter Arena 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
The loss came after Barty had to wait until Thursday to begin her Australian summer, with the men’s ATP Cup having a mortgage on centre court earlier in the week.
It’s the first time in three matches 24-year-old Brady has defeated Barty, who was guilty of multiple unforced errors throughout.
Brady’s baseline game was crucial to the win, swinging hard throughout with a rusty Barty unable to break the American’s rhythm.
Brady won the opening set 6-4 in 36 minutes, securing the only break of serve of the match in the seventh game of the set.
Barty failed to get close to breaking Brady’s serve throughout and couldn’t force the match into a third set after a 55-minute second set.
The 23-year-old Australian remains active in the doubles at her hometown event and is in the field for next week’s Adelaide International before starting her Australian Open campaign in Melbourne.
© AAP
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