Tennis-Barty’s massive journey takes her to final eight in Cincinnati

(Reuters) – World number one Ash Barty looked in formidable as she stormed into the quarter-finals of the Western & Southern Open on Thursday.

Barty continued her preparations for the US Open by rattling through the first 10 games on her way to beating former world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-2 in just over an hour.

The 25-year-old Queenslander stayed home in 2020 as COVID-19 spread around the world, but decided to return to the professional tennis player’s hiking life this season.

Australia’s strict quarantine rules mean there’s no chance of a quick trip home to recharge her batteries, but Barty says she always knew she had to face the challenge of life on the road.

“Yeah, it’s a little strange. It’s the big adventure, ”she told reporters in Cincinnati.

“I think when we left Australia earlier this year that was the mindset we used, this is going to be a year like no other.

“It’s going to be an adventure and we have to find ways not only to enjoy it, but also to entertain each other at times.”

Barty certainly had fun on the court and won four individual titles in 12 tournaments this year, including her second Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon.

“There were times when I felt like the days were long, everything dragged on,” said Barty, who will next play against French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova for a place in the Cincinnati semifinals .

“Fortunately, I was busy playing a lot of games, which was the best possible distraction to pass the time …

“We just try to play every game and live the best we can every day, making sure we laugh, smile, have a good time and the rest will take care of itself.”

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Peter Rutherford)