Barty fights past Rogers to reach semifinals at Yarra Valley Classic

Following a day off due to a Covid-19 scare, action resumed at the Yarra Valley Classic as World No.1 Ashleigh Barty took to the courts in Melbourne Park.

The top-seeded Barty was scheduled to face American Shelby Rogers in her quarterfinal match yesterday, but the entire day of tennis action was cancelled due to a hotel employee testing positive for Covid-19. Play resumed only after the players returned negative tests, and Barty could finally compete in her first quarterfinal in almost a year.

The Australian last faced Rogers at the 2017 Australian Open, emerging victorious in straight sets. After some strong play from both ladies, Barty obtained a break to jump to a 4-1. However, her American opponent broke back to love when the Aussie served for the set at 5-3. With a tiebreak looming, Barty attacked from the baseline, before eventually breaking a second time to take the first set 7-5.

Despite losing the first set, momentum seemed to be on the American's side as she quickly broke Barty twice in the second set. Rogers put on a display of fearless tennis, perhaps spurred on by the crowd's vocal support for their local girl. The World No.60 took the second set, forcing a deciding 10-point match tiebreaker. Due to the limited time available, this method of scoring will be used in lieu of a final set.

With so much on the line, the World No.1 dominated in the tiebreaker, winning the match 7-5 2-6 [10-4] in an hour and 32 minutes. Barty will now face the winner of the All-American battle between fifth-seeded Serena Williams and Danielle Collins.

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