Top seed Barty sees off Suarez Navarro under the roof at Centre Court by two sets to one

By Paul  Lagan at AELTC

Ashleigh Barty v Carla Suarez Navarro 

6-1, 6-7, 6-1

Top seed Ashleigh Barty cruised into the second round with a two-one set victory over Carla Suarez Navarro, although the Australian was tested in the second set which she lost emphatically on a tie-break. 

The centre Court crowd were treated to a 10-minute rain delay which saw the roof closed.

But the Australian took no notice of the change in ambiance as she powered her way to a 6-1 first set.

The  second was, to be expected a closer affair and it was all square with no breaks of serve until the Spain right-header drove he back-hand shot into the net to give Barty a 5-4 lead.

Barty blew a great chance to take the first point on her serve, miss-hitting a simple smash long. The nerves increased as Suarez Navarro raced to a love-30 lead.

But Barty fought back with an ace. The levelled at 30 all – a  wonderful back hand to the corner gave Suarez Navarro break point, but she then flashed a back-hand long again to bring the game to deuce.

The crowd wanted the match to go on, so were cheering for Suarez Navarro, who then got an advantage which she successfully claimed to bring the match back to 5-5.

Games then went with serve, bringing up the tie-break.

Suarez Navarro was imperious, and swept away her buddy to claim the second set and take the match into a decisive third.

But Barty showed her class and composure to race into a five game to love lead in the third, before a brief respite by Suarez Navarro with a hard won game.

But Barty showed her class, with some neat net play to take control of the seventh game and run out the winner 6-1.