| Match: Finished | 1 | 2 |
|---|---|---|
| A. Barty (AUS) (1) | 6 | 6 |
| E. Rybakina (RUS) [29] | 3 | 2 |
| Completed Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set won by A. Barty | 6 - 2 | A. Barty leads 2 to 0 |
| Set won by A. Barty | 6 - 3 | A. Barty leads 1 to 0 |
Local hope Ash Barty is first on court today to begin the Australian Open third round against Elena Rybakina. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11am (AEDT).
After stumbling in her first set of the tournament, Barty has been in fine form, dropping only seven games in her four sets since. That included finishing off Lesya Tsurenko 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in the first round before cruising past Polona Hercog 6-1, 6-4 to set up today’s clash with Rybakina.
The 20-year-old should provide a stern test for Barty. One of the rising stars of the women’s game, Rybakina already has two career titles and has shot up the rankings in the past two years to her current best of 26.
She has played plenty of tennis in 2020 in preparation for Melbourne, making the final in Shenzen and then winning the Hobart International, runs which included victories over the likes of Heather Watson and Kristyna Pliskova.
Rybakina had no trouble in getting to this third-round match, disposing of both Bernarda Pera and Greetje Minnen in straight sets in the first and second round respectively.
Prediction
As world no.1, Barty is rightly favoured to get the better of Rybakina and progress to the fourth round. Her service game has been solid, she’s converted ten of 17 break points in the Australian Open to date, and has been miserly in allowing her opponents to break back.
It’ll be tougher than the last outing, but the Australian should get another win today.
Start time: 11am
Court: Rod Laver Arena
TV: Nine
Online: 9Now
Odds: Barty $1.27, Rybakina $3.40
Head-to-head: Never played
Ranking: Barty 1, Rybakina 26
Career titles: Barty 8, Rybakina 2
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the match today, plenty more action to come this Australian Open on The Roar.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Ash Barty moves through to the final 16 at the 2020 Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-2 straight sets win over Elena Rybakina. It was an intriguing start to the match, with four breaks of service before Barty held and then controlled the set. Rybakina held serve once in the opening set to force Barty to serve it out. The Aussie did so without a problem. In the second set, Barty broke early again, but had to battle to hold serve and consolidate for a 2-0 lead. Challenged on serve again at 4-1, Barty came through with the goods, serving well, working her opponent around the court and asking Rybakina to play the low percentage shots. In amazing form coming into this tournament, Elena Rybakina had her beat grand slam result to date with this third round match-up, despite the loss. Barty's ability to structure points, play them on her terms and encourage her opponent to play tougher winners sees her run continue at her home slam. How far can Barty go? Next up, she faces either Alison Riske (18) or her doubles partner Julia Goerges in the fourth round. Final Score Barty 6 | 6 Rybakina 3 | 2
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Game, Set and Match Ashleigh Barty The World No. 1's run continues at the Australian Open, following a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of 29th seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. Barty 6 | 6 Rybakina 3 | 2
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Rybakina attempts the winner cross court, plays into the net. Match point Barty 6 | 5 | AD Rybakina 3 | 2 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Rybakina drops the tap return into the net. Deuce. Barty 6 | 5 | 40 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Well handled by Rybakina, break point on offer. Barty 6 | 5 | 30 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Well served by Barty, follows in and takes the short return cross court. Rybakina makes the error on the run. Barty 6 | 5 | 30 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 30
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Rybakina returns aggressively, Barty plays into the net. Barty 6 | 5 | 15 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 30
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Rybakina misses the lob. Barty 6 | 5 | 15 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 15
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Rybakina pushes it deep and Barty can't get behind it, playing into the net. Barty 6 | 5 | 0 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 15
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Barty to serve for the second set and match, leading 5-2. Barty 6 | 5 | 0 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 0
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Game, Rybakina Gusty hold from the 29th seed; started well, went pear shaped and then she ended it with a couple of good winners hitting each side of the court. Barty 6 | 5 | 0 Rybakina 3 | 2 | 0
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Advantage again for Rybakina with a backhand winner on an angle. Barty 6 | 5 | 40 Rybakina 3 | 1 | AD
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Lob winner from Barty, amazing touch. She's a very smart player, Barty. Draws Rybakina in and then goes over her head. Barty 6 | 5 | 40 Rybakina 3 | 1 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Barty returns the second serve into the net. Barty 6 | 5 | 40 Rybakina 3 | 1 | AD
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
And again Barty reads the play beautifully, making the winner up the line. Keeps it well inside the line, so there is no chance of an error. Barty 6 | 5 | 40 Rybakina 3 | 1 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Barty makes a lobbed passing shot! Barty 6 | 5 | 30 Rybakina 3 | 1 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Rybakina looking for just her third hold of the game... Barty plays a long forehand and Rybakina is a point away now. Barty 6 | 5 | 15 Rybakina 3 | 1 | 40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Barty plays her forehand long. Barty 6 | 5 | 15 Rybakina 3 | 1 | 30