Tennis returns as Barty sees off Rogers’ challenge

Tennis returned to Melbourne Park today after a 24-hour covid-enforced break, as world no. 1 Ash Barty beat American Shelby Rogers to advance to the semi-finals of the Yarra Valley Open.

Games resumed on Friday after more than 500 negative COVID test results for players and their entourage.

With the new super tie-break in play, Barty won the first set 7-5, lost the second 6-2 and won the tiebreak 10-4 to advance.

Barty broke Rogers’ serve to take a 3-1 lead in the opening set, and then raced to 5-2 before Rogers fought back to 5-all.

The Australian then hit two superb aces and then a double fault saw her take out the set.

Rogers then dominated play, from 2-2 taking the next four games to win the set and tie the match.

But Barty was back to her best in the super tiebreak, hitting five straight points to take a 6-1 lead and then after Rogers rallied to 9-4, hit the winner.

Barty will play the winner of the quarter-final between Danielle Collins and Serena Williams next.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

3 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago