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Former world No. 1 Mats Wilander has tipped Ashleigh Barty to continue her great form this fortnight and lift the US Open crown. Barty, ranked at No. 1 in the world, captured the Cincinnati Masters title leading up to the US Open.
On Tuesday, Barty made a positive start to her US Open campaign as she saw off Vera Zvonareva 6-1 7-6 (7): Barty made it all the way at Wimbledon this past July and now she is among the top favorites to win the US Open.
"Ash Barty will never, ever beat herself by risking too much when she is winning,” said Wilander, as quoted on Tennishead. “I like it when she plays like that – giving her opponent the chance to prove to her that she can beat her because when you do, she will step up her game again.
In the end, I think it was a good win for Ash Barty”.
Barty aims her first deep US Open run
Barty has been one of the top players for years now but surprisingly she has never had a strong run at the US Open. Barty has only made the US Open round-of-16 twice but this year she looks primed for a breakthrough at Flushing Meadows.
"Hard courts I think are the most difficult surface for her because obviously the sliced backhand is good on any surface but it’s better on clay and it’s better on the grass,” added Wilander. “On hard courts, these players are hitting the ball so clean and so big that a low sliced backhand doesn’t bother players that much these days.
So she has to add the variety. “In the end, it’s the serve and the forehand that’s going to win her this title. I do feel that with every match, winning Cinci, that she is starting to feel the favourite. She can handle the pressure”.