The world number one survives to fight another day after a gritty three-set victory over the plucky American Alison Riske on Rod Laver Arena.
Barty held for a 5-4 lead and then had a match point in the following game, with Riske producing a double fault to hand victory to her much-relieved opponent."It was very tough from different ends, playing very differently. But I just had to hang in there, try and give myself a chance."
She was ranked 15 in the world at the time but has since captured her first major — the French Open — and risen to the number one ranking in the world."It's been an incredible year for me, the last 12 months," Barty said.
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