"Strange playing someone so often" - Barty after win over Rogers

Ashleigh Barty played Shelby Rogers for the 3rd time in 2021 and after another victory, she reflected on the match.

The top seed at the event is moving on to the quarterfinals after another strong performance at the Volvo Car Open. Barty looked much better than in the previous round which is similar to her trajectory at the Miami Open. Rogers but up a good fight but ultimately lost 6-7(3) 6-4 4-6.

After the match Barty said:

"Shelby’s an exceptional ball-striker, she always makes you work very hard for every single point, every single match, and tonight was no different."

It was their 3rd meeting in 2021 and 4th overall with all four of those matches coming on Australian soil. For Barty it was a strange feeling playing someone so often saying:

"It’s strange playing someone so often, kind of quite close together. Sometimes it’s the way the draw works, you find yourself playing the same person over and over, and other times you won’t play them for years at a time."

It was a struggle for Barty at times as she was a break down in the first set but she found a way to win it. She was a break up twice in the 2nd set as well but in the end, lost it 6-4. In the final set, she let another break slip before stepping up at the crucial moment and closing it out.