| 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 |
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
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Ashleigh Barty has won her second round match at the Australian Open after securing a straight sets win over Polona Hercog from Slovenia. It was dominant first set from the Australian that took just 25 minutes to complete. Hercog was nervous and made numerous errors as Barty played relatively conservatively in a 6-1 set. The second set was to prove very different, as the Slovenian found her forehand and made many successful moves to the net. She was able to find some rhythm and had Barty on the back foot for much of the set. At 4-3 and with Barty down break points, Hercog appeared the likely winner. However, Barty's serve proved the most valuable of assets once again and after serving her way out of trouble, broke the Hercog's serve in the very next game. The final game was another serving masterclass after an early scare and Barty moved into round three of the tournament . She will need to find a little more aggression than she showed in the second set, where Hercog was far more attacking minded and caused her a great deal of trouble. If Barty wishes to go deep into this event, she will need to find improved form from that which we saw in the second set today. Final Score Ashleigh Barty……………6...6 Polona Hercog…….…….1...4 Final Scores
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Game set match Barty. Another strong serve seals the match for the Australian. Ashleigh Barty……………6…6 Polona Hercog…….…….1…4
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Expert
Ad Barty. Another great serve down the tee brings up match point. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
Deuce. And the second with another strong first serve. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
30-40 Barty saves one with a great serve. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
15-40 Barty blows a chance at the net and is down break points. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
15-30 The trusty first serve does the job this time. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
00-30 Two forehand errors in a row by the Australian. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
00-15 Barty errs off the forehand to start the game. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
Barty to serve for a spot in the third round with new balls. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
Game Barty. The Australian will serve for the match. Ashleigh Barty……………6…5 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
15-40 Break points for Barty after a missed cross court backhand. Ashleigh Barty……………6…4 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
15-30 Another long rally sees Barty on top again. Ashleigh Barty……………6…4 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
15-15 Barty misses with a simple return. Ashleigh Barty……………6…4 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
00-15 Hercog finds the net with a forehand after a long rally. Ashleigh Barty……………6…4 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
Game Barty. A strong finish to the game but a poor start. Ashleigh Barty……………6…4 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
Ad Barty. A cross court winner from the Australian. Ashleigh Barty……………6…3 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
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Expert
Deuce. Barty saves the next with a winning forehand after a long rally. Ashleigh Barty……………6…3 Polona Hercog…….……1…4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
30-40 Barty saves the first of the break points with a good serve. Ashleigh Barty……………6…3 Polona Hercog…….……1…4