Ash Barty beats Collins to end 44-year wait for home Australian Open winner

• No 1 seed beats Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) at Melbourne Park
• Barty's home victory seals her third grand slam title

As Ash Barty took her first steps on to Rod Laver Arena at last for a first Australian Open final, there was already no doubt about the completeness of her game, the integrity that she carries herself with and the historic career she is building before our eyes. But it still remained to be seen how she would handle and digest a moment in her life like nothing before it.

She did so with the composure of a champion who could go on to win so much more. Before an Australian crowd that cheered, groaned, and lived every moment with her on Rod Laver Arena, Barty calmly navigated the fire of Danielle Collins, recovering from a heavy second-set deficit to win 6-3, 7-6 (2) and claim the Australian Open for the first time. Barty is the first Australian to win their home singles title in 44 years, since Chris O'Neil in 1978. Barty did not drop a set throughout.