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World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty was happy she was able to lift her level as the week progressed and ultimately claim the Adelaide title. Barty, seeded at No. 1, saw off Elena Rybakina 6-3 6-2 to win her first title of the season. Barty lost a set to Cori Gauff in her opener at the tournament but then won three consecutive matches in straight sets.
"We've obviously had a brilliant week, been able to work progressively through each match," Barty said after the match, per the WTA website. "I got better and better. I felt like today there were really a few key moments early in the first set to gain momentum.
I was really happy to be able to get a couple of early breaks in the second and run away with it." Barty was especially glad with the way her serve worked in Adelaide. "I probably felt like overall this week my serve has been a real weapon," Barty said.
"I felt like I struggled with rhythm early on in the week and I've been able to progressively get better and better. To go a few matches unbroken is really good."
Barty now aims a maiden Australian Open
Barty, a two-time Grand Slam champion, would absolutely love to start her season with back-to-back titles in Adelaide and Melbourne.
"I feel good leading up to an Australian Open like I have every year," Barty said. "Each and every preparation is unique, each and every preparation is different. So we take it for what comes and what it is, move on, try and do the best that we can in every opportunity, whether that's here in Adelaide or it's in Melbourne.
"It has absolutely no effect on the way that I prepare or the way I'm thinking leading forward just because it's a Grand Slam. Doesn't change for us. We look forward, we do what we can, then we see how we go."
