Ashleigh Barty Opens Up on the Missing ‘CD’ in Her New Logo After Melbourne WTA 500 Win

Women’s World Number 1 Ashleigh Barty was stretched to three sets by 52nd-ranked Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic before reaching the quarter-finals of the Yarra Valley Classic in Melbourne on Wednesday.

A home favorite in the upcoming Australian Open, Barty blitzed past her opponent to take the opening set 6-0. However, the Czech fought back to break the Australian’s serve on her way to winning the second set 6-4.

Ashleigh Barty comes storming back after losing way in the second set

In the deciding set, Barty seized a decisive moment in the match when she breached the Czech’s serve for the third time, in the eighth game.

She eventually closed out the match at 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.

On the missing ‘CD’ in her self-designed new logo ‘AB’, Barty told former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua, “We can put the ‘CD’ there, we can work it up but then you have to play doubles again.”

She added that being an inspiration for future generations is something very close to her heart.

“When you get an opportunity to do something that you love and surround yourself with the best people, that’s what it’s all about.”

In terms of match stats, there wasn’t much to separate the two players, though the Australian recorded a slightly better first serve percentage during the last-16 tie at the Margaret Court Arena.

Barty sends out chilling warning to rivals ahead of Australian Open

The Australian went into the last-16 showdown tied 1-1 with the Czech in head-to-head battles.

Barty finished the 2020 season as the top-ranked player, despite not featuring in any of the events on the women’s Tour on account of the coronavirus pandemic. She resumed training at the turn of the year and will go into the year’s first Grand Slam as one of the title contenders.

The ongoing WTA 500 event offers the perfect opportunity for the Australian to not only add to her Tour titles but also get on top of her game ahead of bigger challenges at Melbourne Park.

Read More: WATCH: Ash Barty Returns to Playing Cricket Before Australian Open 2021

The win on Thursday will have sent out a chilling warning to rivals ahead of marquee clashes in the Australian Open.