By Chris Oddo | Sunday March 5, 2017
20-year-old Ashleigh Barty won singles and doubles at the Malaysian Open.
Photo Source: AFP
Aussie qualifier Ash Barty dropped just one set in five main draw matches en route to her first career title at Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
The Aussie, who retired from tennis to begin a professional cricket career more than two years ago, is back in the swing of things on the singles—and doubles court—these days.
She was off the tour from August of 2014 to June of 2016, but Barty has won 12 of 16 matches since her return, and 6-3, 6-2 victory over Nao Hibino in Sunday’s final ensures her a Top 100 ranking on Monday.
“It’s a tribute to all the work we did in the off-season, and last year, coming back. It hasn’t quite been 12 months since I started playing singles again. I’m certainly happy to be back,” said Barty.
Barty later combined with compatriot Casey Dellacqua to win the doubles final, beating fourth seeds Nicole Melichar and Makoto Ninomiya 7-6 6-3, for her third career doubles title.