World No.1 Ashleigh Bart beat American Danielle Collins 6-3 7-6(2) to win her first Australian Open title on Saturday. World number one Bart victory ended Australia's 44-year wait for a home winner since Chris O'Neil won the women's title in 1978.
It was also Bart third Grand Slam title, having won the 2019 French Open and the 2021 Wimbledon. She thus has a Grand Slam title on every surface.
Bart managed to come from 1-5 down in the second set to eventually win the match. She won the first set with one service break but was down 5-1 in the second set after dropping serve in the second and sixth games. Collins had two chances to serve for the set but was broken both times.
O'Neil was present in the stand cheering as the crowd on the floodlit Rod Laver Arena erupted when Bart converted her first match point with a forehand cross court winner.
Bart dominated after taking the set to a tiebreaker, racing to a 4-0 lead.
Ash Bart Vs Danielle Collins Australian Open 2022 Women’s Singles Final Highlights: Ashleigh Bart.On Saturday became the first Australian woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam title at home after she defeated Danielle Collins 6-3 7-6 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. The World No. 1 Bart won the contest against Collins 6-3, 7-6 in one hour and 15 minutes to etch her name into record books. The victory also gave Bart her third major title - after French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021 - and her 15th career title. She joins the legendary Serena Williams in an elite list of only two active players to have won a Grand Slam title on three different surfaces.
Bart grand slam tally now stands at three -- her previous titles coming at the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021 -- and the 25-year-old is without a doubt currently the most dominant force on the women's tour.
With most of her career likely still ahead of her, the only question remaining around Bart grand slam credentials is: how many?
"I,ve said numerous times I'm so lucky tonight to have numerous people here that love and support me," Bart said in her post-match interview. "I'm a fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner, we started together right from the start. We did it all together, nobody has changed from our team. I love you to death.
"As an Aussie the most important part of this tournament is being able to share it with so many people and the crowd, you have been nothing short of exceptional.
"This crowd is one of the most fun I've ever payed in front of and you guys brought me so much joy today and helped me play my best tennis, so thanks for all your love and support over the last couple of weeks.
"This is a dream come true for me and I am so proud to be an Aussie. See you next time."
Both players put in solid service games to take the set to a tie break, though Collins must have been wishing those first serves had come a couple of games earlier.
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