World number one Ashleigh Barty wins the Australian Open and third grand slam title overall

No. 1-ranked Ashleigh Barty defeated Danielle Collins in the Australian Open women’s final Saturday in Melbourne, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), to become the first Australian to win the women’s singles title since 1978.

Barty, 25, didn’t surrender a single set en route to the third Grand Slam title of her career (2021 Wimbledon, 2019 French Open).

I’m thrilled to see Barty adding to her grand slam resume after being ranked number one for three years but not exactly dominating at the majors which have been in some cases won by lower-ranked one-slam wonders. The 2021 US Open was won by a qualifier who has barely won a match since and I swear to you I could not name the winner of the 2021 French Open and I am a big tennis fan!

I would love to see Barty and Naomi Osaka, who has won four slams, start to make it consistently to a lot of finals and have some epic duels. That’s my hope for women’s tennis.

But losing finalist Danielle Collins, seeded 27th, fought a good match and is now in the top 10. Wish her the best as she is classy and great to watch.

My favorite moment of the trophy ceremony was the introduction of the great Evonne Goolagong, the 1970s-80s Aussie superstar who won the Australian Open four times as well as Wimbledon twice and a French Open.

Below are video highlights: