World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty is having a strong Australian Open run and her slice backhand is one of the shots that has stood out this fortnight. Former world No. 1 Jim Courier compared Barty’s slice backhand and the one of Roger Federer.
Barty was flattered after hearing the comparison following her 6-2 6-0 win Jessica Pegula. “That’s very kind from Jim,” Barty said to reporters in her post-match press conference, per Tennis Majors. ”I think everyone’s shots are unique.
I think obviously Roger has one of the most exceptional slice backhands in the game. Mine’s a long way off that. Absolutely, no stretch of the imagination we are even on the same page at all. “But I love to use my slice, I love to get creative with it, to use it offensively and defensively.
Over my career I’ve learnt it is a weapon for me. I try and use it when I have to. Sometimes I try and use it when it’s my choice and I can be really, really aggressive with it. But being able to use it with variety and have different options has been a massive part of my game through this last couple of years of my career”.
Barty dismantled Pegula
Barty claimed two breaks in the first set and three breaks in the second set to comfortably beat Pegula and set up a Madison Keys semifinal in Melbourne. “I think the scoreline definitely wasn’t an indication of how the match felt,” she said.
“All in all I knew I had to play my very best tennis tonight to match up with Jess and put her under the pump. I was able to serve well, find plenty of forehands, and just try and control the court. I was just trying to be assertive and be aggressive when I could and run and use the chisel and kind of defend when I had to.
“I think I had a really good mix tonight, but that was definitely Jess forcing me to play some of my best stuff”.
