"We play each other once a month" - Barty on fourth straight win over Rogers

It seems like Ashleigh Barty enjoys playing Shelby Rogers, as she recorded her fourth consecutive victory over the American in her opening round match at the 2021 Madrid Open.

The top seed needed just an hour to record a 6-2 6-1 victory, and has now beaten the World No.43 in four straight meetings this year, dating back to the Yarra Valley Classic in February.

"I've played Shelby many times this year... and it's always a very big challenge," Barty said in her post-match interview. "I needed to make sure that I was at my very best to be able to compete today."

Their most recent clash occurred in Charleston, where the World No.1 required nearly two-and-a-half hours to battle past Rogers. However, she made quick work of Rogers on Thursday, extending her winning streak on European clay to twelve straight matches.

"Each one is different," reflected Barty. "Each one presents different challenges, different conditions. The rate that we're going, we'll play every month this year, just make it a tradition. We play each other once a month."

"Every time you step out on the court against Shelby, you really need to be switched on, play your very best because she has the ability to take the match away from you very quickly. It was important for me to start well, across the whole match. It was always going to be a big factor."

The recent Stuttgart champion next faces Tamara Zidansek in the second round, as the Slovenian cruised past Hsieh Su-Wei in her first round match.