Oi! Oi! Oi!

When shooting a big final, you’re always stressing out about getting a proper shot of the match point reaction that captures the historic moment well.

I think this worked out quite well! pic.twitter.com/1c1ROL5UVs

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) January 29, 2022

Last night, in Rod Laver Arena, top seed Ash Barty became the first Australian to win the Australian Open in 44 years. She did it by defeating "surprise" (some of us don't agree with that assessment) finalist Danielle Collins. It was a very good match that had the potential to be great, but Collins--despite her fighting spirit and resolve--was overcome by the occasion when she most needed to be cool and deadly.

Prediction: Neither Collins nor Barty will be “overcome by the occasion.”

— Diane Elayne Dees (@WomenWhoServe) January 29, 2022

Barty dominated Collins, who didn't play badly, in the first set. Collins had a break opportunity early in the set, but couldn't convert it, and then she double-faulted with a break point against her, and went down 2-4. Barty took that set 6-3.

The second set was a different story--until it wasn't. Collins came out with her aggression already dialed to the next level, and broke Barty in the second game, on her second break point. She was almost broken back, but managed to hold for 3-0. It looked like the collegiate star from the USA was on her way to flipping the script of the match. Indeed, in the sixth game, she broke Barty again and went up 5-1.

And then, everything went wrong for Collins. On the brink of winning the set, she could not get a first serve in. Barty broke Collins when she served for the set, then held, then broke Collins when she served for the set a second time. At this point, the crowd was getting out of control, and people were yelling during a point, which threw Collins off even more. 

The set went to a tiebreak (Collins was a bit more relaxed when she didn't have to serve for the set), but the world number 1 ran away with it, going up 4-0 right away, and eventually winning it 7-2.

There was a lot to like (other than the crowd's interference) about this final. In a quirky turn of events, Collins' bracelet flew off of her wrist and she asked to have it found. I don't know if this was one of Collins' own bracelets--she designs (rather nice) jewelry. It was also interesting to watch Collins handle Barty's backhand slice, which is her signature shot. Unlike a lot of other players, Collins was often able to attack the shot with aggression by positioning herself low enough to manipulate the ball.

Prior to the final, Barty had been broken only once, by Amanda Anisimova. Collins broke her twice, which says a lot, because the Australian star's serve has become a thing to behold. Her serve speed is more than adequate, and the ease of her placement is impressive. 

Barty makes the whole thing look so easy, like an experienced chef who does elaborate prep, times everything just right, then adds her own instinctive creativity to the dish. An athlete's athlete, Barty can hit, move and think--all at once, and all extremely well.

Lovely runner-up speech from Danielle Collins after a heck of a fortnight here in Melbourne.

She’ due to make her Top 10 debut on Monday! pic.twitter.com/yWj4BfbE9R

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) January 29, 2022

The trophy ceremony was special because the great Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Barty's mentor, presented the trophies. Both speeches were touching. Collins, as always, went into detail thanking all of the staff and volunteers who had helped her throughout the tournament, and giving a special shout-out to the physios, who, she implied, made it possible for her to continue after some early physical problems.

(It's worth noting, by the way, that Collins is the first NCAA singles champion--she won that title twice--to reach the final of a major.)

Barty said that winning the Open was a "dream come true," and that she was proud to be an Australian. 

In 2021, after Ash Barty won Wimbledon, I wrote this:

A doubles star who leaves tennis behind for two and a half years in order to sort things out and to play professional cricket, then returns to become number 1 in the world in singles--wins the French Open, then takes a year off because of the pandemic, during which time she wins a golf tournament. Then injures her hip at the French Open, but shows up at Wimbledon--and wins the title. 

Oh, that movie is too over-the-top to be made! It was, however, exactly what happened in the professional life of Ash Barty, 2021 Wimbledon singles champion, and world number 1.

The Barty story continues to fascinate. The new Australian Open champion has now won a major on every surface, and a Career Slam is looming. I remember watching her in her early days of playing doubles and thinking that she was one of the best doubles players I had ever seen. Now she's number 1 in the world in singles and--at age 25--has won three majors. Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!