We are finally up to the women’s final at the Australian Open. Home favorite Ashleigh Barty looks in dominant form. Can American Danielle Collins find a way to pull off a shocking upset? Our writers share their thoughts.
Australian Open Women’s Final Prediction
Ashleigh Barty vs Danielle Collins
Anish:
In the women’s draw, we had two weeks full of tennis matches alarmingly resembling tugs-of-war. However, Ashleigh Barty played her matches in a completely different fashion. After taking off with a bagel in the first round, she never looked like taking her foot off the accelerator, and hasn’t until now. Such has been Barty’s dominance, that she has spent just a meagre total of 6 hours and 6 minutes on court up until the final. The two-time Major champion hasn’t yet won at the Australian Open, but never before has she had a better opportunity. Being fresher than ever, and in extraordinary form right now, it looks that she is fully ready to taste victory at her home event.
Danielle Collins, though overshadowed by the storm named Barty, has also been playing high quality tennis en route to her first final at the Australian Open. Collins defeated seventh seed Iga Swiatek in straight sets to make it to the final here. Her hard hitting capabilities and return of serve might pose some problems to her opponent. In Barty’s defense though, she has been broken only once in the six matches, and doesn’t look in the mood to give anyone any chances. Barty might have to work hard for this win, if Collins steps up her game in the final, but I still see her lifting the title in the end.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Andrew:
After two one-sided semifinals I’m sure most people are hoping for a good contest here. On paper you can’t look past Barty. She has steamrollered the opposition in this tournament and had terrific data over the last year on the way in. Her Achilles’ heel was meant to be the pressure of a home Slam win, but she seems to be enjoying every second. She is a strong favourite. But… Danielle Collins has a super strong mentality. She may not have the back catalogue of titles and big wins but her dismantling of Iga Swiatek in the semifinal gives her, I think, a chance here. Ultimately I think that Barty will have too much skill and be too solid on serve for the American but it could be closer than many will think.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Manuel:
Collins has had an extraordinary run here in Melbourne, reaching her first Grand Slam final at age 28 when nothing suggested that it was even possibile. She is in great shape and will rightfully be confident that she can go all the way.
However, on the other side of the net she’ll face the world #1 playing at home; Barty has already won two Slam titles and been the world #1 for a while, but she has never won her home Slam (in fact this is her first final appearance) and will be desperate to do so. It is safe to say all the pressure will be on her this Saturday. This is an opponent who has beaten her before on Australian soil, too, last year in Adelaide. Still, you’d imagine Barty’s superior experience at this level and the crowd support will see her through in a very nervy affair.
Prediction: Barty in 3
Jack:
There’s no stopping Ash Barty. It’s no coincidence she’s in the final having dropped only 21 games. Her slice such a mind-boggling shot for anyone to deal with on tour at the moment. Danielle Collins was the better player against Iga Swiatek but the chasm in level can be chalked down to the conditions and a bad matchup–Swiatek’s serve sat up for Collins to batter away with her flat groundstrokes. Barty is serving too well for her serves to be dispatched like that and I have no doubt her slice could perplex Collins to the same extent as her previous opponents, especially given they’ll be playing in the evening where her slice sits even lower in the court.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Damian:
The way Ashleigh Barty is playing right now, it’s gonna take a hell of a match from Danielle Collins to stop her. Even the level that the American performed at against Iga Swiatek might not suffice, although it was absolutely sublime. Barty has a way of making opponents uncomfortable though and confusing them on the court. Her backhand slice is so unique in the women’s game that very few rivals know how to handle it. Collins absolutely pummeled the returns on Swiatek’s second serve and she will need to look for points there again. However, Barty won’t make the mistake of sending them all to her backhand and has a much better first delivery to rely on. A peaking version of the American has a shot in this one but such level is very tough to maintain over at least two sets. The pressure of being so deep in a Major hasn’t gotten to her yet, but we can’t exclude it. Barty has been in these circumstances before and handled them expertly.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
