By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Playing her first grass match in two years, Ash Barty battled past Carla Suárez Navarro 6-1, 6-7(1), 6-1 to reach the Wimbledon second round for the third time.
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Ashleigh Barty met major muse in her Wimbledon return.
The world No. 1 stepped onto Centre Court clothed in tribute to her tennis idol and went the distance subduing a tennis inspiration.
Playing her first grass match in two years, Barty battled past courageous Carla Suárez Navarro 6-1, 6-7(1), 6-1 to reach the Wimbledon second round for the third time.
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The top seed was two points from a straight sets win serving at 6-1, 5-4, 30-love, but Barty lost her range scattered successive errors and Suárez Navarro exploited that lapse delivering tremendous all-court tennis in running through the tiebreaker.
Playing just her second tournament since beating cancer, Suarez Navarro pressed Barty all over the court in the second set before running out of steam and seeing Barty elevate through the decider.
"I think more than anything it was a great battle," Barty said. "In the game where I was trying to serve out the match, I just missed a few too many first serves and Carla was able to take the game on and hit some incredible returns. I think we just kind of accepted that and moved on. Again, she played a great tiebreak.
"She's a hell of a competitor, a hell of a fighter. It was a privilege to be able to share that moment, share that court with her. I hadn't had the opportunity to play Carla. It was really special to be able to experience what she can bring from the other side of the court."
Suarez Navarro departed court to a rousing ovation from fans with Barty helping lead the applause as the Spaniard's proud mom stood right along with everyone else capturing a poignant scene on her smart phone in an emotional send-off.
"I think Wimbledon make me a really good gift," Suarez Navarro said afterward. "I really enjoy. I cannot ask for anything else better than this day.
"As you say, one of my last match here against Ash, No. 1 of the world, Centre Court, I mean, with the roof. Was amazing.I really enjoy everything I pass through. I think now ,today, I was or I am the most happy player on tournament, for sure."
Athlete and audience connected as the crowd and Barty showered Suarez Navarro with love and respect in a heart-felt sendoff.
"I just said to her it was a pleasure to share the court with you," Barty said afterward. "She's an exceptional person, a great fighter, a great competitor, and very well-loved and respected in the locker room. She's going to be sorely missed. I wanted to give her the appreciation that she thoroughly deserves. The crowd was exceptional. They gave her a remarkable reception as well as she's walking off the court.
"I kind of didn't know what else to do. I wanted to give her a hug, just say congratulations on an exceptional, remarkable career. I know she's still got a little bit to go, and I wish her all the very best."
Playing just her second tournament since announcing her recovery from Hodgkin Lymphoma nearly five months to the day after completing her final chemotherapy session, Suárez Navarro showed the all-court skills that made her a former world No. 6 exuding plenty of positive spirit pushing the top seed the distance.
Grass-court tennis places a premium on adjustments and Barty cleaned up her act considerably in the decider rolling through 13 straight points to open as an increasingly weary Suárez Navarro could not stay in step. Barty committed just two unforced errors in the third set after scattering 26 errors in the second set. Barty won the match and Suárez Navarro captured hearts for her performance.
Barty’s specially-designed Fila Trailblazer clothes commemorates the 50th anniversary of her tennis hero Aussie legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s enthralling 1971 Wimbledon title run. Barty paid tribute to Suárez Navarro's inspiring comeback after the match.
A light rain prompted a pause in play with Barty holding a 2-1 lead. After a break to close the Centre Court roof, Barty brought controlled intensity and shot versatility streaking through four games in a row for a one-set lead.
The 2019 Roland Garros champion was missing her first serve more frequently and the Spaniard was stepping in more to attack more aggressive returns in the second set. Barty won just 39 percent of her second-serve points compared to 70 percent for Suarez Navarro.
That disparity cost the Aussie, who failed to serve out the match at 5-4, 30-love.
In the tiebreaker, the top seed was struggling to land her first serve and contain her forehand within the court. Barty committed successive errors then Suarez Navarro slid a low forehand down the line for 5-1.
Moving gracefully around the grass, the Spaniard worked the entire court drawing a lob long for a fistful of set points. Masterfully mixing her low slice backhand with topspin drives, Suarez Navarro unsettled Barty then angled a crackling crosscourt backhand to draw the error and snatch the second-set tie breaker.
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Resetting, Barty burst through 13 consecutive points storming to a 3-0 lead in the decider. Suarez Navarro spent a lot of energy racing around the court battling back to take the second set. By the time the third set began, the Spaniard lacked life in her legs and wasn't closing on wide shots as effectively as Barty extended her lead to 4-0.
Barty, whose Roland Garros came to a premature end due to a hip injury, moved fluidly in extended rallies and closed in one hour, 43 minutes honoring Suarez Navarro's efforts with a hug before joining fans saluting the Spaniard with an ovation as she departed the court in her Wimbledon farewell.