Local hero advances at Aussie Open

Associated PRess

MELBOURNE, Australia

Local favorite Ashleigh Barty became the first player through to the fourth round at the Australian Open with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Maria Sakkari today at Rod Laver Arena.

Barty received treatment for an apparent stomach muscle ailment at the end of the first set but appeared not to be affected for the rest of the 82-minute match.

Barty didn’t clarify what was bothering her.

“I’ve gotten to know my body pretty well, and it was more for reassurance and support,” she said. “I’m fine.”

Barty will play either Maria Sharapova or defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in the next round. “A bad day at the office for me, a good one for Ashleigh,” Sakkari said. “She plays a very different game than other players with her slices. And her serve is hard to read She is a very talented player.”

Rain forced a continuing delay to the start of matches on outside courts. The roofs on all three main arenas were closed.

Wozniacki will have her most daunting challenge in defense of her Australian Open women’s singles title when she takes on five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova in the third round.

The two haven’t played since 2015 when Sharapova finished the year ranked fourth and Wozniacki was 17th. Now Wozniacki is seeded third here and Sharapova is 30th.

The match preceding that one on Rod Laver Arena has defending men’s singles champion Roger Federer take on American Fritz Taylor.

Rafael Nadal opens night play on the same court against Australian Alex de Minaur, followed by 2016 champion Angelique Kerber’s match against Australian wild-card entry Kimberly Birrell.