World number one Ash Barty still admits to being in a learning process after reaching the second week of the Australian Open.
In another testing match, world number one Ash Barty overturned a 2-0 deficit in the opening set to overcome 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2 6-4.
Despite a slow start, Barty managed to adjust to the Russian’s game and conditions as she reached the last 16.
Although Barty hasn’t dropped a set on her way to the fourth round in Melbourne, she has struggled in her past two matches as well as dropping a couple of sets at the Yarra Valley Classic last week.
When asked about whether this was concerning to her in her press conference, the former Roland Garros champion admitted that she was still in a learning process, “I feel like I’m learning on the go,” Barty said.
“I mean, sometimes you have to give credit to your opponent and understand that they’re changing the way they’re going to play, as well, make that adjustment after the first set.
“It’s been a focus of mine to continue to do all the right things regardless of what the score is in the match, regardless of whether I’m a set up or set down, a break up, break down, or anything indifferent. It’s about going through all of my processes the exact same, regardless of the score, and making sure that I stick to that.”
Adjustment is something that Barty will have to implement quickly in her next match as she faces American Shelby Rogers, after her 6-4 6-3 win over Anett Kontaveit.
The Australian admitted that Monday’s last 16 tie will be a difficult one, “It’s always exceptionally tough against Shelby. She’s got the ability to take the game away from you, she’s got the ability to give you no control out there,” the top seed explained.
“You know, at times it will be me scrapping and fighting. Other times I will be trying to take the more aggressive option. I’ll have to do that, try all different things, just as I did last week and just as I’ve done every time that I’ve played her.”
The last meeting between Barty and Rogers was last week in the Yarra Valley Classic where the Australian won a tight contest 7-5 2-6 10-4. Barty currently leads their head-to-head 2-0.
