Ash Barty makes light work of Lucia Bronzetti on way to Australian Open third round

Tom Naghten

Ash Barty makes light work of Lucia Bronzetti on way to Australian Open third round image

Number one seed Ash Barty breezed by Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti in the second round of the Australian Open.

The Aussie took the match 6-1 6-1 in just 52 minutes to set up a third-round clash with another Italian in Camila Giorgi.

Barty was successful on five of six break point opportunities over the course of the match, showcasing the difference in class between herself and the world number 142.

In a warning to rivals, the two-time major winner looked like she had several more gears to go through as she pursues a maiden home slam.

"We are exactly where we are. I felt like we've had a really good preparation in Adelaide, we played well, were able to get through some really good matches and Tyz (coach Craig Tyzzer) is the master," Barty said on-court after the match.

"He's the absolute best in the business and I'm very spoiled to have him in my team and very grateful that he's got the tactical knowledge, he's got the communication.

"I feel like our whole team works extremely well together, we're enjoying our tennis and being able to produce some pretty good stuff."

Barty will now face the big-hitting Giorgi for a place in the fourth round.

Giorgi, the tournament's 30th seed, had earlier defeated Tereza Martincova 6-2 7-6(2) to equal her previous best efforts at Melbourne Park.

"She's an incredible ball-striker. One of the most athletic girls out here and she's not afraid to stand on the baseline and really put you under some time pressure from that first strike," Barty said of her next opponent.

"I'll have to have my running shoes on, I'm sure I'll get the slice backhand out a little bit, bring in some variation and we'll see how it goes."

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.