Ashleigh Barty’s has successfully negotiated her debut match as world No.1 with a straight sets victory over China’s Zheng Saisai to book her spot in the second round of Wimbledon.
With her new status as the top player in the women’s game – the first Australian to do so since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976 – Barty opened proceedings on the new-look No.1 showcourt on Tuesday.
She was made to work at times for her 6-4 6-2 win against the world No.33, particularly in the opening set, but closed out the win in efficient manner in just under 90 minutes.
It was the French Open champion’s 13th successive victory and her 37th of what has become a stellar year for the 23-year-old Queenslander.
Barty will now play Alison van Uytvanck, the Belgian world No.54 for a place in the third round on Thursday.
Van Uytvanck reached the fourth round at the All England last year beating 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza along the way and will present a tricky test for the in-form Barty.