Ashleigh Barty secures dream end to year with Zhuhai success

Ashleigh Barty recorded the biggest victory of her career after securing the WTA Elite Trophy against home favourite Qiang Wang in Zhuhai.

Wang, who only progressed to the semi-final after American Madison Keys’ withdrawal due to injury before she defeated Garbine Muguruza in the last four, could not make the most of her reprieve as the Australian triumphed in a 6-3 6-4 straight-sets win.

Barty told WTA.com after sealing her third career title: “Thank you to all the fans. It has been a great finish (to the season) for me in China this week.

“It has been a phenomenal year, it really has. I’m very excited that it’s finished now, time for some vacation and ‘relax’ time before we gear up for the Australian summer.”

Barty stormed out of the blocks with two breaks to race into a 4-0 lead, with her Chinese opponent registering just six points as the 22-year-old dominated the early exchanges.

But Wang hit back with two breaks of her own to reduce the deficit to 4-3, only to give her serve away in a lengthy eighth game.

Barty served out a thrilling first set in 37 minutes with an overhead smash and the second set proved to be a battle of patience for both players.

However, it was the Australian who came out on top to take the only break of the second set in the seventh game, before serving out her second tournament win of the season after her victory at the Nature Valley Open in June.