"Work to be done" says Barty after hard-fought win over Watson

Before the match, Ashleigh Barty spoke to the media saying that her comfort level with the courts in Cincinnati wasn't very high and it clearly showed in the match. Barty was not at her best especially in the 2nd set where she barely squeezed past in the tiebreak.

After the match Barty gave credit to Watson saying:

“She’s qualified here, so played three matches already. It was always going to be an exceptionally tough match for me to find my groove and find my rhythm. There’s a little work to be done, but that’s OK. We get another opportunity tomorrow.”

Barty is still finding her groove on the Tour after her sensational triumph at Wimbledon. Her singles appearance in Tokyo was not good but she was able to bring home a medal in mixed doubles. Asked if any of that sunk in yet she said:

“Honestly, no. I think I was still trying to comprehend in my brain what we were able to achieve as a team, and particularly the adversity we went through in-between kind of the French Open period and through Wimbledon. For the time being, I’m excited to have another chance to play here in Cincy, to get to New York and to play there.”