Ash Barty beats Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets to reach Australian Open fourth round

Ash Barty’s tilt at becoming the first Australian since 1978 to win the women’s singles championship at their home major has gained momentum courtesy of a straight-sets defeat of Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Barty, again wearing a bandage and tape on her left thigh, was down a service break in both sets but recovered each time on her way to recording a 6-2, 6-4 over the Russian 29th seed in an almost empty Margaret Court Arena.

The world number one will meet either Anett Kontaveit or Shelby Rogers in the fourth round.

More to come.