29th January, 2022
Home favourite Ashleigh Barty is the new women’s champion of the Australian Open, beating American Danielle Collins in two straight sets 6-3 7-6.
She made the victory more remarkable by coming from 1-5 down in the second set to level the set and win the tie breaker.
She is the first Australian to win the trophy since it was last won 44 years ago by Chris O’Neil in 1978.
The world number one lost just 21 games to reach her maiden final at Melbourne Park.
Barty, who won the 2019 French Open and is the reigning Wimbledon champion, is also unbeaten in 10 matches this season.
She warmed up for the first Grand Slam of the year with a WTA 500 title in a tune-up tournament in Adelaide.
Her victory in Melbourne left the home nation rejoicing all over Australia.
Loser Collins, ranked 30th in the world, will break into the top 10 when the rankings are updated on Monday.