Expert
Match: Finished | 1 | 2 |
---|---|---|
A. Barty (AUS) (1) | 6 | 6 |
P. Hercog (SLO) | 1 | 4 |
Completed Sets | ||
---|---|---|
Set won by A. Barty | 6 - 4 | A. Barty leads 2 to 0 |
Set won by A. Barty | 6 - 1 | A. Barty leads 1 to 0 |
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Ashleigh Barty plays the second match of her Australian Open campaign on Rod Laver Arena today against Polona Hercog. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 12:15pm (AEDT).
After something of a scare in her opening round match against Lucy Tsurenko, Barty now faces experienced Hercog with a chance to advance to the final 32.
It was a very slow start to her 2020 Australian Open when the world number one dropped the first set, however, the signs improved quickly as she peeled off 12 of the next 14 games to convincingly take the match on the opening day of action.
Hercog has plenty of guile and nous on her side after a long career that has seen her compile in excess of 400 wins on the WTA tour. She also has three titles to her name and sits inside the top 50 on the official rankings after reaching a career-high of 35 in 2011.
It will be a tough ask for the Slovenian, with another packed house on hand to watch Barty attempt to continue her journey on the way to hopefully becoming the first Australian woman to win the Open at Melbourne Park.
Barty will be looking for a much faster start than the one she managed against Tsurenko and that could spell danger for her opponent today. When she did find form on Monday, her serve slipped into gear and the forehand found its range after looking sloppy and tentative early.
Prediction
Hercog will come ready to play in a match she will feel she can win. It is hard to see that happening, however, with Barty likely to move through to the third round on the back of a tight two-set victory.
Start time: 12:15pm (AEDT) – estimated time only. Match will start after Badosa vs Kvitova
Court: Rod Laver Arena
TV: Nine
Online: 9Now
Odds: Barty $1.10, Hercog $5.80
Head-to-head: Never played
Ranking: Barty 1, Hercog 48
Career titles: Barty 8, Hercog 3
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