Australian Open: Ash Barty plays down injury concerns after Daria Gavrilova win

Tom Naghten

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Australian Open: Ash Barty plays down injury concerns after Daria Gavrilova win image

World number one Ash Barty has played down injury concerns after qualifying for the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 7-7(7) straight-sets win over compatriot Daria Gavrilova.

Barty didn't have it all her own way, after Gavrilova mounted a strong comeback to force the second set to a tiebreak.

Wearing the same heavy strapping on her left thigh she debuted during a doubles encounter on Wednesday, commentators questioned whether Barty was hampered as she let her ascendancy slip in the second.

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Though, speaking on-court after the match, Barty said it looked more serious than it is.

"This isn't very subtle is it. It's actually a very small tape job, we just wrap it to make sure it stays on," Barty said.

"I can't really hide it but I'm fit as a fiddle, I'm good to go. It's been nice to get some matches and general soreness is good, but this one just isn't super subtle."

Coming in to the 'Ash vs. Dash' match a big favourite, Barty was actually broken in the first game of the match before winning six straight games to sew up the first set.

The second set looked liked being similarly one-sided, with Barty getting out to a 5-2 lead before Gavrilova fought back, eventually getting herself to 6-5.

A tight tiebreak followed, with Barty eventually prevailing to set up a third-round clash with either Barbora Krejcikova or Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Barty spoke about the difficulty in facing someone she knows so well and her joy at seeing Gavrilova return to the action after injury troubles of her own.

"When you play another Aussie, the rankings go out the window, experience goes out the window, typically you know each other very well," she added.

"It's always going to be a tricky match no matter what, genuinely I'm just so pleased that she's back out here competing and healthy again."

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.