Ashleigh Barty returns to her day job on Friday when the world No.1 continues her quest to break the country’s 42-year Australian Open singles drought after enjoying a first-round doubles win.
Not content chasing singles glory, Barty partnered German Julia Goerges to a 6-2 6-3 win over Jessica Moore and Astra Sharma at Melbourne Park on Thursday.
“There’s nothing better than coming out and playing with your mate. That’s what tennis is a about,” said Barty, a six-times grand slam doubles finalist and 2018 US Open champion with Coco Vandeweghe.
But it’s back to the more serious business of plotting a way past in-form Kazakh Elena Rybakina in what shapes as a banana-skin third-round match-up for Australia’s top seed.
One of the rising stars of women’s tennis, Rybakina has announced her arrival as a grand slam force with a stunning start to 2020.
Runner-up in Shenzhen, the scene of Barty’s glorious WTA Finals triumph in November, Rybakina then won the Hobart International before improving her season win-loss record to 11-1 in Melbourne.
The 20-year-old is through to her first third round at a major, but Barty is suitably wary.
“For me, it’s about doing what I do best regardless of whether it’s a first round, third round, or a final,” Barty said.
“It doesn’t really matter for me what round it is. I’m still going out there trying to do the same thing, essentially.”
The Kazakh underdog knows her role in the Rod Laver Arena showdown and is embracing it as she bids to spring a boilover against the French Open champion.
“It’s the first time for me playing in such a big stadium so I’m looking forward to this match,” Rybakina told AAP.
“Of course I know everyone is going to more support Ashleigh but I will try to do my best and I hope it’s going to be a good match.
“It doesn’t really bother me if the crowd are against me or not against me. It’s really nice when someone is supporting you but I’m just focusing on this match.”
Victory for Barty and she could be playing against, rather than with, Goerges in the fourth round on Sunday if the German also beats American 18th seed Alison Riske.
