Ashleigh Barty philosophical after exit: ‘I couldn’t execute the way that I wanted’

Australian Open
A disappointed Ashleigh Barty

Ashleigh Barty admits she just wasn’t up to scratch during her Australian Open semi-final defeat against Sofia Kenin as she failed to come up with answers to the questions posed by the American.

The world No 1 was the clear favourite against Kenin, but she suffered a 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 loss on Rod Laver Arena.

Barty certainly had chances as she was 6-4 up in the tie-breaker, but ended up losing four consecutive points as the American took the first set.

The Australian also found herself serving for the second set as she was 5-4 up, but lost the final three games as Kenin completed the win.

“I think [it was] a match where I didn’t feel super comfortable,” Barty, who arrived at the post-match press conference with a her niece Olivia, said. “I felt like my first plan wasn’t working. I couldn’t execute the way that I wanted. I tried to go to [plan] B and C. I think I had to dig and find a way.

“I’m two points away from winning that in straight sets, which is disappointing.

“Knowing I had to fight and scrap, I still gave myself a chance to win the match.”

She added: “I put myself in a position to win the match today and just didn’t play the biggest points well enough to be able to win.

“I have to give credit where credit’s due. Sofia came out and played aggressively on those points and deserved to win.”

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Ashleigh Barty Sofia Kenin

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