Tokyo Olympics: World Number One Ashleigh Barty knocked out in the first round

Australia's Ash Barty is out of the Olympics women's singles after being dumped in straight sets by Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-4, 6-3.

Ash Barty recently won the Wimbledon, but she could not d any damage at the Olympic games, Image credit: Twitter
By Amruth Kalidas | Jul 25, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Australia’s world number one Ashleigh Barty is out of the Olympics women’s singles after being dumped in straight sets by Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo, 6-4, 6-3. Barty looked out of sorts compared to the player who won on the grass courts of Wimbledon earlier this month. 

Sorribes Tormo controlled the baseline and moved the Australian around the court, winning points by putting Barty out of position. After securing the second grand slam of her career, Ashleigh Barty was considered a strong medal chance at Tokyo.

The world number one struggled with her service game, allowing Sara Sorribes Tormo to put pressure on her throughout the match. Barty landed only 42 percent of first serves. She racked up 55 unforced errors to Sorribes Tormo’s 13 in the effort. This gave Sorribes confidence to be able to attack the Australian’s second serve and apply pressure during those points.

After taking the first set, Sorribes Tormo broke Barty in the opening game of the second set. The Australian, however, showed the fighting spirit she has become known for by getting the break back in the second game. Barty had a big opportunity during the sixth game of the second set, leading 3-2.

Ashleigh Barty still in with a chance

The Australian had two break-points, up 15-40, and looked in control but was unable to convert. Barty did not win another game after that. She was broken in the seventh game before again having her serve beaten in the ninth to lose the second set and the match.

Barty’s hopes for an Olympic medal are still alive in the women’s double with partner Storm Sanders.

Indian women’s doubles pair of Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina lost to Ukrainian sisters Nadiia and Liudmyla Kichenok on Sunday. The match went down the wire with the Ukranians winning 0-6, 7-6, (10-8 )in the tie-breaker. The Indians got off to a bright start, winning the first set without conceding a game. But their opponents came back to take a tight second set and then went on to win the match. Thus, the Indian duo is out of the Tokyo Olympics.

Mirza and Raina started the serve and won the first game with ease. In the second game, the Indian pair hit some solid returns to extend the lead to 2-0. The Indian’s showed full dominance to win the first set 6-0 committing only one unforced error. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian sisters looked frustrated. India won their seventh set in a row before the Kichenok sisters showed some fighting spirit to win their first game in the match and make it 1-1 in the second set. The third game was a close one but the Indians managed to take a 2-1 lead. But the Ukrainian’s hit back to level at 2-2.

Meanwhile, in the tiebreaker, the Ukrainian’s took a monumental 7-0 lead before the Indian pair surprisingly leveled the score at 8-8. But in the end, Ukraine won the match 10-8.