Former world No.1 Ash Barty has played down the significance of her fourth round loss at the US Open.
The second seed failed to convert all nine of her break point opportunities as she crashed out 6-2, 6-4, to China’s Wang Qiang. In what was an error-stricken performance form the Australian, Barty produced 39 unforced errors and only managed to win 39% of her second service points. Ending her hopes of claiming a second grand slam title of 2019 after the French Open.
“I felt like she was able to put the ball with great depth in difficult positions for me. I still was able to create opportunities. Just very frustrating that on the big points today, Q (Qiang) played a lot better.” Barty said of her performance.
Missing out on a quarter-final clash with Serena Williams, the 23-year-old is sticking to the positives of her season in the grand slams. Where she has reached the fourth round or better at all of them. An accolade that no other player in the top 10 on the WTA Tour have achieved this year.
Nevertheless, there remains a question of what if for Barty if she had won. Williams heads into the last eight with an injury scare and the highest player she would face before the final would have been fifth seed Elina Svitolina.
“I don’t think the second week of a slam is a missed opportunity.” She stated. “It’s a hell of an effort for all slams to get to the second week. Yes, I would have loved to have done better. It wasn’t to be.’
“But certainly not something I’m stressed about.”
The positive mindset of the Australian is something she puts down the support she received from her team. She is coached by Craig Tyzzer. A former ATP player (1979-1983) who began working full-time with her at the start of 2016.
“I think it’s easy to put into perspective because of the person I am, the team that I have around me. It doesn’t matter whether I win a tennis match or not, I’ve won a Grand Slam or I haven’t. It’s not really something that keeps me up at night.”Barty explained.
“I know that I did everything possible to try and prepare as well as I could today and played as well as I could. But in the big moments, it wasn’t there. “
Barty’s US Open campaign isn’t quite over yet. She is still participating in the women’s doubles alongside Victoria Azarenka. She won the title last year with American player CoCo Vandeweghe.
