It was way back in 1978 when an Australian last one the singles title in the main draw of the womans event. Christine O’Neil became the first unseeded woman to win the Open in the Open era when she won the title championship.

Fast forward 44 years.. and Australia is arguably in its best position to finally get another hometown hero over the line. Ash Barty is ranked the world number 1 and has been for the last 3 years. She is the clear favourite to win the title and with Osaka, Halep, Azarenka, Muguruza all out.. and Serena not making the trip down under.. it would seem that the 2022 winner’s title is Barty’s to lose. While some Aussie heroes choke and struggle under pressure, Barty remains cool, steady and focused under pressure.

Barty still has to win another 3 matches before she would lift the trophy, and there is plenty of Tennis left in the tournament. Barty will be hoping that she can continue to get other players to fall into her spell of crafty Tennis and try to beat Barty at her own game, which is a very tall task.

She has a French Open, is the current Wimbledon Champion.. and is now just missing an Australia and US Open winners trophy to add to her busy trophy cabinet. She is certainly not going to give up with a fight, and one would think that the only thing that will change her destiny will be a big ball striker taking the game out of Barty’s hands.. something very tough to do.

If you are an Aussie or Barty Tennis fan, then get the popcorn out and be prepared for some nail-biting over the next week!