KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Ashleigh Barty won her first WTA Tour singles title following a 6-3, 6-2 win over Japan’s Nao Hibino in a rain-delayed ALYA Malaysian Open final at TPC Kuala Lumpur today. The World No 158 Australian is also the first qualifier since Taiwan’s Hsieh Su Wei in 2012 to win in the tournament.
Ashleigh took a 4-1 lead by breaking the 106th ranked Nao’s serve in the second game before play was suspended for about two hours before the match resumed. The 21-year-old returned to court and closed the set in 39 minutes.
In the second set, Ashleigh’s powerful service game, precision and power was too much for the 23-year-old Nao, as the champion broke in the third and seventh game to seal the title. Nao looked tired following gruelling matches in the previous rounds and could not respond to Ashleigh’s consistency on court.
The Japanese star tried to catch Ashleigh on the lines but often made mistakes. Ashleigh is also the second Australian to win the title after Jelena Dokic in 2011.
“It is truly amazing to win the title here. I feel awesome as I played my best tennis throughout the week,” said the delighted Ashleigh. “Nao was my doubles partner in my junior days and I am happy that both of us are playing senior tennis now. I hope this win will inspire me for better days ahead in my goal to achieve top 100 by the end of the season.”
Ashleigh earned US$43,000 and 280 ranking points for her efforts while Nao received US$21,440 and 180 ranking points. Prime Minister’s wife Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor presented the trophies to Ashleigh and Nao.
The other notable guest were Sime Darby Berhad president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh, Sime Darby managing director Datuk Jauhari Hamidi, Malaysia Major Events general manager, Tony Nagamaiah, TPC Kuala Lumpur chief executive officer Steven Thielke and Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia vice president Datuk Mohamad Taufik Omar.
