Australian Open: World number one Ash Barty dumped out as fans set to return after snap Covid-19 lockdown
- Czech Karolina Muchova rallies from a set down to ruin Barty’s dreams of winning her home grand slam
- Fans will return to action from Thursday after Victoria State Premier Dan Andrews announces end of snap lockdown
World number one Ash Barty’s bid to become the first home-grown Australian Open champion since Chris O’Neil in 1978 ended in a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 quarter-final defeat to Karolina Muchova on Wednesday.
The Czech 25th seed rallied after a lengthy medical timeout in the second set to secure a place in her first grand slam semi-final, where she will meet Jennifer Brady, who beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Barty’s shock exit from the tournament came as the state of Victoria announced that a snap coronavirus lockdown would be lifted at midnight on Wednesday, allowing fans to return for the last four days.
Muchova played poorly at the start and Barty raced to a 5-0 lead while losing only six points. After nine games, Muchova had one winner and 18 unforced errors, and early in the second set, she took an injury timeout that lasted nearly 10 minutes.
“I started feeling a bit lost,” Muchova said. “Ash started very good. She played almost like no mistakes; it was very tough. I was a bit lost on the court and my head was spinning, so I took a break. And it helped me.”
Medical personnel took her temperature, checked her blood pressure and gave her ice before she left the court. When the Czech returned, she played much better.
“I tried to play a bit faster rallies so we don’t play long ones as in the first set,” Muchova said, “and it worked well.”
Victoria State Premier Dan Andrews announced the lifting of the lockdown but said the crowds allowed into Melbourne Park for the semi-finals and finals of the grand slam might be reduced from the originally agreed 25,000 a day.
“There will be meeting early this afternoon … where we go through and work through exactly what is a safe number and that decision will be made as soon as possible,” Andrews said.
“They were already reduced, they may have to be reduced a little bit further, but that matter will be resolved in the next few hours.”
Australian Open to continue without fans under snap lockdown
Tournament organisers said they expected crowds would be back on Thursday and would make a full statement later after the details were worked out.
Fans were shut out of the precincts of Melbourne Park from last Saturday after a small outbreak in the city of the Covid-19 variant associated with Britain. The state reported no locally acquired coronavirus cases on Wednesday.
Tournament organisers will be desperate for fans to return after spending a huge amount of money to get the tournament up and running, including some A$40 million (US$31 million) on putting players through 14 days of quarantine.
Tickets were already available for purchase online on Wednesday morning ahead of the government’s announcement, with some seats for Sunday’s men’s final at Rod Laver Arena still available at A$550 each.
Additional reporting Associated Press
