Ash Barty survives tough first-round match, advances in three sets
It was not any easy first-round match for the 2019 French Open champion, but in the end, Ash Barty was able to defeat American Bernarda Pera 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to advance to the second round at Roland Garros.
Both players did not play well to start the match, as Ash Barty had 11 unforced errors in the set, while Pera had 18. Pera actually had a higher winning percentage than Barty on her first serve, but Barty was much better on the second serve. Barty led 5-2 at one point in the set, before Pera made it close by winning the next two games. In the end, Barty had the one extra break in the set, and was able to close it out to take the first 6-4.
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In the second set, Pera played a lot better, and although she still had 12 unforced errors in the set, she had 15 winners to make up for it. The biggest difference in the set was the return points won for Pera, as she won 42% of the points on the return, while Barty only won 31%, according to Infosys Match Centre. Pera would get the lone break in the set, and would take the second 6-3 to force a decider.
In the final set, it was all Ash Barty. Barty won 69% of the points on her first serve and 70% on the second serve. Barty was also dominate on the return, as she won 41% of the points on Pera’s first serve, while winning an incredible 83% of the points on Pera’s second serve. Pera did have two opportunities to break in the set, both coming in the third game, but was unable to convert on either of them. Barty would end up breaking Pera’s serve twice in the set, as she would take the third 6-2 to advance to the second round.
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Up next for Barty will be the winner between Magda Linette and Chloe Paquet, as Barty will try to push her winning streak at Roland Garros to nine straight victories.