Ashleigh Barty has beaten Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 to win her maiden Miami Open title and become the first Australian woman since 2013 to break into the world’s top 10.
The Australian No.1 was 3-1 down against 27-year-old Pliskova but responded with excellent shot-making to force a tiebreak and outclass the Czech world No.7 by winning six straight points for the first-set.
Pliskova, who was also competing in her first Miami final and whose semi-final win over Simona Halep finished after 1am local time earlier on Saturday due to rain delays, fought off four break points before submitting on a fifth as Barty built a 3-1 second set advantage.
From there, the fatigued Czech put up little resistance with Barty firing down 15 aces during the match to secure the biggest title of her career in one hour and 40 minutes, pumping her fists when Pliskova sent a forehand long on match point.
The win means 22-year-old Barty is the first Australian women since Samantha Stosur to crack the WTA’s top 10 and will be No.9 when the rankings are published on Monday.