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Ash Barty is back in business on the WTA Tour, winning her Cincinnati Open second-round match in a tough encounter with Britain's Heather Watson.
Ash Barty was able to "find some pretty good stuff" when required in her Cincinnati Open victory over British qualifier Heather Watson, in the Australian's first match since her shock first round exit at the Tokyo Olympics.
World No.1 Barty needed to shake off some rust before overcoming Watson 6-4 7-6 (7-3) after a tough one hour 46 minute duel at the WTA 1000 event.
Barty, who showed signs of her brilliant best even while serving up eight double faults in an uneven performance, reckoned she had to "dig deep" to finally subdue the world No.67's resistance on a hot afternoon - and she enjoyed the experience.
"Heather's an extremely tough opponent. It was always going to be an exceptionally tough match for me to find my groove and rhythm and there's a little bit of work to be done," Barty said in her on-court interview.
"It's our career and our livelihood - but it's just a game.
"Sometimes you have to find a way to enjoy the fight, enjoy the battle and it was certainly one of those matches today when I had to dig deep.
"And I felt like when it really mattered, I was able to find some pretty good stuff."
Indeed, there was a certain inevitability that once Barty slipped into another gear she would go on and set up a last-16 encounter with defending champion Victoria Azarenka, who beat Alison Riske 6-2 7-5.
Wimbledon champion Barty, who was left deeply frustrated by her shock loss in the draining heat of Tokyo to Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, appeared hungry and opened up in brilliant fashion, racing into a 3-0 lead against Watson.
She was pegged back but regained a measure of control with a break to love before finally closing out the first set with glorious forehand drive.
After the second set went with serve, Barty earned an immediate mini-break with a cracking forehand, her 29th winner, in the tiebreaker to dictate proceedings.
The Queenslander powered down her ninth ace to earn five match points, the third of which she converted for a highly satisfactory return to tour action.
Naomi Osaka, the second seed, showed real resolve in fighting back from a set and a break down to beat US teenager Coco Gauff 4-6 6-3 6-4 in a terrific contest.
"It was definitely really tough, but I feel really good right now. I'm super excited to play another match," Osaka said.
Olympic champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland rolled by Shelby Rogers 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 while Petra Kvitova, the Czech 11th seed, also advanced.
Paula Badosa caused the shock of the day when she ousted third-seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 5-7 6-2 7-6 (7-4) while former world No.1 Angelique Kerber's fine run of form continued as she upset fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina 7-5 2-6 6-4.
Simona Halep, the 12th seed, withdrew before her second-round match with a right thigh injury while seeded trio Bianca Andreescu, Jennifer Brady and Elise Mertens also bowed out.
With AP
