Australian Open 2022 LIVE result: Ashleigh Barty defeats Danielle Collins to clinch title
Relive all the action as Barty ended Australia’s 44-year wait for a singles champion on home soil
Ashleigh Barty brilliantly fulfilled her country’s expectations by defeating Danielle Collins to become the first home player for 44 years to win an Australian Open singles title.
The world number one recovered from 5-1 down in the second set to clinch a 6-3 7-6 (2) victory over first-time grand slam finalist Collins and claim her third grand slam title.
She ends the long reign of 1978 champion Chris O’Neil as the last home winner of the women’s or men’s singles and, by maintaining her perfect record in slam finals, becomes the only active player other than Serena Williams to have won major titles on three different surfaces.
Having shrugged off the pressure to breeze through to the final, Barty had to use all her competitive instincts to overcome 30th-ranked American Collins, who brought the best out of her opponent in a terrific second set.
Barty now just needs the US Open to complete a career Grand Slam having won the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon last summer, and it seems clear that women’s tennis has found its consistent champion.
Relive all the action from the women’s final below:
Barty’s service game speed the key
Arguably the most crucial component in Barty’s victory was her ability to move at pace through her own service games before putting the pressure back onto Collins.
The 25-year-old may have been broken twice, but she won 57 percent of her service games to love or fifteen, meaning she was able to take all of Collins’ opportunities away swiftly and could spend more time concentrating on attack rather than defence.
Australian Open 2022: Barty’s winner’s speech
“To my team, wow! I have said numerous times I am so lucky to have so many people here who love and support me.
“Mum, dad and my sisters, I am an incredibly fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner.
“No one has changed in our team, we are the best in the business and I can’t thank you for all the time you put into me.
“As an Aussie the most important part of this is being able to share it and you guys have been nothing short of exceptional. This crowd is one of the most fun I have ever played in front of - you relaxed me and forced me to play my best tennis! Against a champion like Danielle I had to bring that today.”
“This is a dream come true to me and I am so proud to be an Aussie, so thank you so much everyone - we will see you next time!”
Australian Open 2022: Barty’s winner’s speech
“Thank you everyone so much, I have to say congratulations to Danielle, it has been an amazing fortnight for you, I know you will be fighting for many more of these in the future.
“I am a little stumped, I would love to thank everyone who does so much work behind the scenes - it takes a real big village to put on an event like this, this tournament has been one of my favourite experiences, so thank you so much for that.
“To all the umpires, ball kids, everyone who makes it so easy for us players to do what we do - you guys makes it seamless and without you we’d be lost!”
Australian Open 2022: Collins’ runner-up speech
“I have a lot of people to thank, everyone who came to support me these past two weeks, we all met by chance and are now friends for life! It means the world to me.
“Marty, I don’t want to get too choked up but I wouldn’t be here without your support, thank you for believing in me!
“Thank you Joe, my amazing boyfriend, for taking time off of work also to help bring some normality to my life - I can’t wait for more adventures and good times ahead.”
Australian Open 2022: Collins’ runner-up speech
Collins thanks everyone for their support and gets a great reception from the crowd. “I really admire you as a player,” she tells Barty.
Australian Open 2022: Prize-giving ceremony
The stage has been set for the presentation, where Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Barty’s idol, will take part in the prize-giving ceremony.
Australian Open 2022: Barty wins!
Ashleigh Barty is the Australian Open champion! A fantastic passing shot winner seals it. It was far from her best tennis, but she fought back with such strength from 5-1 to clinch a second set that looked all but certain to escape her.
Australian Open 2022: Barty 5-1 Collins (second set tie-break)
A fantastic point sees Barty produce a spectacular drop shot. Collins somehow manages to reach it at full-stretch. Barty backpedals to reach the high ball and smashes it down with precision. Collins gets her first point on the board but then snatches at a second serve.
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