Ashleigh Barty ends her country’s 44-year wait – day 13 at the Australian Open
Ashleigh Barty ended Australia’s 44-year wait for a home singles champion at Melbourne Park on Saturday.
The world number one claimed her third grand slam title with a 6-3 7-6 (2) victory over Danielle Collins to add to her French Open and Wimbledon crowns.
On a historic night for Australia, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis then claimed the men’s doubles title by beating compatriots Matt Ebden and Max Purcell.
Picture of the day
Tweet of the day
Backstage with some amazing Aussie tennis legends, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Chris O’Neil, Judy Dalton and the one and only @ashbarty – who did something special tonight! pic.twitter.com/w3XinXWdHG
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) January 29, 2022
Attention on Peng Shuai
Activists who were ejected from Melbourne Park last week fulfilled their promise to hand out hundreds of T-shirts drawing attention to the wellbeing of Chinese player Peng Shuai after tournament organisers decided the garments would be permitted after all.
Melbourne marathon
Sportsmanship on the biggest stage 🙏
American Bruno Kuzuhara outlasts Jakub Mensik 7-6(4) 6-7(8) 7-5 in *3 hours and 43 minutes* to complete a sweep of the #AusOpen boys' singles and doubles titles! 🏆🏆
🎥: @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/Pwhi9JrFBa
— ITF (@ITFTennis) January 29, 2022
Who’s up next?
Your @AustralianOpen finalists 🙌
Who takes the title? 👀👇#AusOpen | #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/6FW7QexFwr
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 28, 2022
The tournament reaches its climax with the men’s singles final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev.
History will be made either way. Nadal, having feared his career was over only a couple of months ago, can become the first man in history to win a 21st slam singles title.
World number two Medvedev, meanwhile, is bidding to become the first man in the Open era to follow his maiden slam crown by winning the next major tournament as well.