Ash Barty has gotten Australia’s Fed Cup battle with the USA off to a good start, defeating Sofia Kenin in straight sets.
Final score
Ashleigh Barty 6 7
Sofia Kenin 1 6
After an encouraging Australian Open, Australian women’s tennis gets its chance to announce it’s arrival on the world stage this morning when Australia takes on the United States in the Federation Cup at the US Cellular Arena in North Carolina.
In Australia’s first World Group tie match since 2015, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty will take on Sofia Kenin in the first match. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5am (AEDT).
With youngster Kim Birrell as the other Australian singles player, Ash Barty knows the pressure is firmly on her to get Australia off to a strong start.
She comes into this Federation Cup in great form, making the final in Sydney before reaching the quarters of the Australian Open.
Her conqueror in both matches, Petra Kvitova, went on to the final of the first grand slam tournament of the year.
Her impressive Australian summer results have lifted her to No.13 in the world, making her the highest ranked player on the court this weekend.
Her opponent today, Sofia Kenin, is the world ranked No.37. Aged just 20, she also enjoyed a good Australian summer.
She won in Hobart, taking out Caroline Garcia, Kirsten Flipkens and Alize Cornet on the way to her first WTA title.
Her Australian Open wasn’t as successful, losing to world No.1 Simona Halep in the second round over three tight sets.
USA captain, Kathy Rinaldi, obviously has faith in Kenin as she has held Australian Open semi-finalist, Danielle Collins, out of the second singles spot.
Prediction
This will be the 15th Federation Cup clash between Australia and the USA, with the USA leading 9-5 and winning the last battle 4-0 in Brisbane 3 years ago.
Playing in front of a big home crowd, the USA will go in as favourites.
However, Barty has won her only match with Kenin, winning 6-3 6-2 in Charleston, USA on clay in 2018.
The home crowd will lift Kenin but I think Ashleigh Barty will get Australia off to a great start, with a three-set win predicted.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Don't go anywhere. I'm grabbing a coffee and then back to see if Kim Birrell can pull off a major upset over Madison Keys.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Full marks to Ash Barty there to fight back so well after losing 2 match points when serving for the match earlier. She has got Australia off to a good start after controlling the majority of the match. Kenin went through a purple patch late in the second set but the errors returned in the tie break.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Great backhand down the line from Barty for 5-2 Good return from Barty and she holds 4 match points. 6-2 Barty forces the error. Ash has done remarkably well in that tie break GAME SET MATCH AUSTRALIA 6-2 7-6 Barty 6 7 Kenin 1 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
Kenin overhits a forehand. 1-0 to Barty Barty mistimes a forehand. 1-1 Strange backhand chip from Barty and Kenin hits the winner. 2-1 Kenin sends a forehand long. 2-2 and no-one has held serve Another forehand error from Kenin. 3-2 to Barty Long rally before Kenin just misses a forehand. Barty 4-2 on the change Barty 6 6 Kenin 1 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
Kenin brought in and nets the backhand. 15-0 Good serve for 30-0 Ace down the T for 40-0 Huge ace and we are off to a tiebreak Barty 6 6 Kenin 1 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
Kenin has picked up her game whilst Barty is now making the errors. Worrying signs after 2 match points Barty 6 5 Kenin 1 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
Great rally finished with a backhand winner from Kenin, 15-0 Barty sends a forehand long and Kenin has lifted her game. 30-0 Kenin sends her backhand approach long. 30-15 Another long forehand from Barty. 40-15 Double fault. 40-30 Backhand winner too good from Kenin and she holds for a 6-5 lead Barty 6 5 Kenin 1 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
Big serve down the T and forehand winner. 15-0 Unforced error from Barty. 15-15 Big ace down the T. 30-15 Barty nets the slice backhand. 30-30 Huge ace brings up match point. 40-30 Barty overhits the forehand and its deuce. Sliding serve ace this time gets another match point. Ad Aust Kenin too good with the forehands. Deuce Kenin hits the backhand and gets a point to break back. Double fault and Barty has let Kenin, and the crowd, back into this match Barty 6 5 Kenin 1 5
David Holden
Roar Guru
Unforced backhand error from Barty, 15-0 Good serve to the backhand. 30-0 Kenin hits the backhand long. 30-15 Good scramble from Barty and Kenin errs on the forehand. 30-30 Barty's return just misses and its 40-30 Unforced forehand error from Kenin. Deuce Backhand slice from Barty drifts long. Ad USA Kenin hits a good serve and holds. Barty now has the chance to serve for the opening rubber. Barty 6 5 Kenin 1 4
David Holden
Roar Guru
Kenin overhits a forehand. 15-0 Great serve to the backhand. 30-0 Big ace down the T for 40-0 What a service game from Ash. She holds to love Barty 6 5 Kenin 1 3
David Holden
Roar Guru
Good body serve draws the forehand error. 15-0 Deep forehand from Barty draws an error. 15-15 Barty makes an unforced forehand error. 30-15 Great serve from Kenin and backhand winner. 40-15 Barty charges the net and Kenin misses the backhand. 40-30 First long rally won by Kenin. She holds. Barty 6 4 Kenin 1 3
David Holden
Roar Guru
Long rally before Kenin overhits a forehand. 15-0 Good second serve to the backhand. 30-0 Sliding serve is too good. 40-0 Two big forehands from Kenin win that point. 40-15 Kenin hits the backhand long and Barty holds Barty 6 4 Kenin 1 2
David Holden
Roar Guru
Forehand winner from Barty too good. 0-15 Drop shot brings Kenin in but Barty mistimes the lob. 15-15 Good serve wide to the forehand. 30-15 Kenin in control buts pushes the forehand long. 30-30 Good serve again. 40-30 Better service game from Kenin and she hits a forehand winner to hold Barty 6 3 Kenin 1 2
David Holden
Roar Guru
Big serve down the T to start. 15-0 Great kicking serve to the backhand sets up a forehand winner. 30-0 Good first serve. 40-0 Barty mishits a forehand. 40-15 Great approach and forehand volley from Barty. She holds Barty 6 3 Kenin 1 1
David Holden
Roar Guru
Kenin hits the backhand long. 0-15 Great hustle from Barty before Kenin overhits the forehand. 0-30 Kenin misses the backhand. 0-40 One break point saved with a big forehand. 15-40 Better groundstrokes from Kenin. 30-40 Double fault at the worst time and Barty has broken early in the second set. Barty 6 2 Kenin 1 1
David Holden
Roar Guru
Barty approaches after a slidiing serve and hits a volley winner. 15-0 Good serve for 30-0 And again from Barty. 40-0 Great depth on the backhand return. 40-15 Ace from Barty levels it up quickly Barty 6 1 Kenin 1 1
David Holden
Roar Guru
Kenin to serve Good serve down the T. 15-0 Barty nets the backhand slice. 30-0 Forehand down the line from Barty draws the error. 30-15 Ace to the backhand court. 40-15 Good serving game from Kenin and she holds Barty 6 0 Kenin 1 1
David Holden
Roar Guru
Kenin just making too many unforced errors to challenge Barty at the moment. Ash looking comfortable at the moment and Kenin will need to change her game up Barty 6 0 Kenin 1 0
David Holden
Roar Guru
Good serve draws an error. 15-0 Barty's volley just drifts wide. 15-15 Wild return from Kenin. 30-15 Big serve down the T and 2 set points. 40-15 One saved by Kenin with an aggressive forehand. 40-30 Kenin goes wide with the backhand. Barty has taken the first set for Australia Barty 6 Kenin 1
David Holden
Roar Guru
Barty's sliced backhand catches the tape and Kenin hits the forehand winner. 15-0 Forehand winner down the line from Barty. 15-15 Big serve from Kenin. 30-15 Unforced backhand error from Kenin. 30-30 Kenin hits the backhand long and break point for Barty. 30-40 Kenin nets the backhand and Barty has a double break Barty 5 Kenin 1