ASHLEIGH Barty claimed her first Wimbledon title – and second singles Grand Slam crown – beating Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-7 (7-4) 6-3 in a rollercoaster women’s singles final to lift the prestigious Venus Rosewater dish on Centre Court on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who took time out of the game just a few years ago for her mental health, came out on top in a see-saw contest that was the first Wimbledon women’s final to go into a deciding set since 2012.
After winning the opening set and leading the second 3-1 against a nervous Pliskova, Barty served for the title at 6-5, only to see her opponent hit back and win a tie-break to force a decider final set where Barty held herself together to prevail and achieve a place in history.
She adds the Wimbledon title to the French Open crown she won in 2019 and just as significantly, 50 years on from Evonne Goolagong-Cawley’s first Wimbledon title, Barty made good on her pledge to emulate the legendary seven-time Grand Slam champion.
Paying a fitting tribute in the scalloped skirt she has worn throughout the fortnight, she emulated her idol, who blazed a trail for the same Australian indigenous population Barty represents, becoming the first Australian woman to win the singles title since Goolagong-Cawley’s second success in SW19 in 1980.
It also cements Barty’s status as the world No 1 and completes a Wimbledon journey that started when she lifted the junior title aged 15 in 2011 and has included three exits at the qualifying tournament – most recently in 2016.
Sky Sports
