Barty bounces back from set down to beat Gauff in Adelaide

World No 1 Ash Barty avoided an upset in Adelaide, coming from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 – and chalk up her first win in her first match since September.

The Australian was within one point of going a double break down to the 17-year-old at 4-2 in the second set before rallying to hold and ultimately force a decider.

“This old body might be a little bit sore tomorrow!” joked the 25-year-old after a match which lasted almost two and a quarter hours. “I feel like I played a pretty good-quality match considering it was the first match in a few months.”

Barty ended her 2021 season after the US Open, opting to return to her homeland rather than continue on tour.

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