"A bit rusty in the first set" says Ashleigh Barty on win over Gauff

Gauff was cruising in this match for the most part winning a fairly tight first set and being a break up in the 2nd set. After Barty raised her level in the 2nd set, Gauff completely collapsed with her play getting particularly bad towards the end of the match. Ultimately Barty cruised to a 6-1 3rd set finish to secure a confidence-boosting win.

After the match she said:

"[In the first set] I was able to create opportunities but just was a little bit slack on the execution, rusty in the sense of stringing quality points together. I felt like I would play two or three good ones and then give away two or three cheapies quite quickly, which comes with match practice."

On the 2nd set she said:

"Midway through the second set I was able to find my rhythm a little bit better on serve and just continued to be aggressive on my forehand. I just found execution a little bit more. Serving getting a little bit better, getting a few more cheapies, allowed me to play with a little bit more freedom towards the end of the second set and the start of the third."

To wrap up, Barty said it wa a good progression and indeed it was:

"I think it was all in all a good progression. Work to do, without a doubt, but very happy with the level that we started the year with."