16-year-old Queenslander Ashleigh Barty faces a tough assignment when she meets defending champion and world No. 39 Mona Barthel of Germany in the first round of the Moorilla Hobart International tomorrow evening.
Barty was initially drawn to play Brisbane International finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while No.9 seed Barthel was drawn against No.2 seed Sorana Cirstea. However a late withdrawal from Pavlyuchenkova due to a left hip injury saw a reshuffle of the draw, setting up a mouthwatering encounter between the in form Australian and the defending champ.
Barthel clearly plays the Hobart court well, last year becoming the first woman in the history of the Hobart International to come through the qualifiers to take the title.
But despite being the underdog in this encounter Barty is not fazed. “It’s just another match,” she said. I’ll just go out there and give it a good rip, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Barty will take some confidence into her opening match following a 6-0 6-3 upset win over 2010 French Open champion and fellow Moorilla Hobart International competitor Francesca Schiavone at the Hopman Cup in Perth last Thursday.
“The way I played against Schiavone, I felt like I was really up there”, said the young Australian.
“I think I’m playing really well so hopefully I can play like that this week.”
By Nick Cuthbertson