Ashleigh Barty ends home drought with historic Australian Open title after win over Danielle Collins in final

Ash Barty stormed to the Australian Open title after beating Danielle Collins in straight sets, 6-3 7-6(2), to become the first home singles champion at the Grand Slam for 44 years. The top seed ended the drought for an Australian singles champion at Melbourne Park going back to Christine O'Neil in 1978 to emulate her compatriot in style on Rod Laver Arena. Ad/> Remarkably, the world No.

1 did not drop a single set in coming through to win her home Grand Slam as the 'Barty Party' moved to another level. Australian OpenMcEnroe: Everything points to Barty but don't rule out battling Collins14 HOURS AGO Barty could hardly have made a stronger start as she dominated Collins from the back of the court from the early stages and went on to win the opening set 6-3. The world number one appeared to be cruising as she sat at the changeover following the first set as the fans celebrated her apparent coast to the title.

But Collins was written off by many much too soon. The American seized the initiative at the start of the second set with some inspired play. She immediately stamped her authority on proceedings with a break of serve and raced into a 3-0 lead.

Barty belatedly got back in the set, but the unforced errors continued to creep in under pressure following her serene progress early in the match. Collins, appearing in her first Grand Slam final, relished being the underdog and began to express herself with a clenched fist after each winner as she assumed a commanding lead in the second set. But Barty did remarkably well to stage a prolonged resurgence as she broke back to force a tie-break with Collins having to complain to the umpire about the vociferous home support.