Top-ranked Barty overcomes late collapse to win at Adelaide

 If 2019 was a breakout year for . 1-ranked Ash Barty, Australian star is finding 2020 to be an early challenge.

After losing in her first appearance at last week's Brisbane International, Barty appeared to be cruising in final set of her second-round match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Tuesday at elaide International.

Up 5-2, French Open and WTA Finals champion Barty lost three games in a row before breaking Russian player in 11th game, n serving for match for third time, finally prevailing for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win.

Pavlyuchenkova missed an overhe backhand at net to help give Barty late break, n hit a backhand long on Barty's first match point.

“I think I was able to find something at end," Barty said. “Credit Anastasia, we've always h very close ones, she pretty much controlled whole match."

Barty, who received a first-round bye, vanced to quarterfinals with win and will aim to improve on her starts and finishes before Australian Open begins next Monday in Melbourne.

ln earlier matches, 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens lost 6-2, 6-2 to Australian qualifier Arina Rodiova, . 8-seeded Marketa Vondrousova beat Tatjana Maria 6-3, 6-0 and Maria Sakkari h a 7-5, 6-2 win over fifth-seeded Vitalia Diatchenko.

. 201-ranked Rodiova, a 30-year-old who endured two three-set wins in qualifying just to reach main draw, was in control from first game when Stephens lost her serve.

“Ï was pretty relaxed today," Rodiova said. “From winning those two really tough matches in qualifying, I feel like I deserve to be in main draw."

In men's play at same tournament, Dan Evans beat Alexander Bublik 7-5, 6-2.

(Pic Credit: Twitter)