| 2020 Australian Open |
|---|
| Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 20 January to 2 February |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and online; Live text on selected matches on the BBC Sport website and app. |
World number one Ashleigh Barty overcame a jittery start to defeat in-form Elena Rybakina 6-3 6-2 and reach the Australian Open fourth round.
Home favourite Barty was broken in her first two service games, but broke back on both occasions before breaking again in the sixth game of the first set.
Kazakh Rybakina, the champion in Hobart last week, converted only two from 10 break points.
Barty will now face Alison Riske or her doubles partner Julia Gorges.
“It was a very tough one,” the 23-year-old said. “I felt like I had to be switched on. Some of the games were long. It’s probably the best I played this summer so far.
“It’s nice to have another chance to come out and enjoy it. I’m loving every minute.”
Last year’s beaten finalist, Petra Kvitova, comfortably saw off Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-1 6-2 and the Czech will next play Madison Keys or Maria Sakkari.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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