French Open champion Ashleigh Barty made a winning start to her Wimbledon preparation with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Donna Vekic in the opening round of the Birmingham Classic.
Playing in her first match since lifting her maiden grand slam trophy at Roland Garros, the Australian world.No 2 showed little sign of rust against noted grass-courter Vekic.
Barty did concede an early service break but broke back almost immediately and stole another break in the eighth game of the contest.
She served out the set to love and raced to a 5-2 lead before dropping her second service game of the match.
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It was too little too late from the Croation as Barty closed out the win to set up a meeting with American Jennifer Brady.
“It was the perfect first test for me,” Barty said after the victory.
“I knew that I had to be sharp and I had to be ready, otherwise it wouldn’t even be a contest.
“It was nice and clean today out here, Donna’s obviously had phenomenal grass-court seasons in the past, and I’m sure she’ll be one to look for at Wimbledon.
“Obviously it’s a little bit different (to Roland Garros) but I love playing here, I love playing on the grass, and Birmingham for me I have such good memories from this beautiful court.”
