Barty’s bash

Paris, June 8

Ashleigh Barty ended Australia's 46-year wait for a French Open singles title today by thrashing nervous Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova in a one-sided women's final.

Eighth seed Barty got off to a strong start and never looked back, winning 6-1, 6-3 after only 70 minutes to claim her maiden Grand Slam title.

The 23-year-old will rise to second in the world behind only Naomi Osaka when the latest rankings are released next week, after becoming the first Australian winner at Roland Garros since Margaret Court won the last of her five trophies in 1973.

She will be best-ranked Australian woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976. "It's unbelievable, I'm a little bit speechless. I played the perfect match today. I'm so proud of myself and my team, it's been a incredible two weeks," said Barty.

"It's a special place for Australians here. Sam (Stosur) has done well here before and come so close. It's been a magical two weeks."

Thiem tames Djokovic

Austrian Dominic Thiem crushed Novak Djokovic's French Open hopes as he returned today to complete a 6-2 3-6 7-5 5-7 7-5 victory after yesterday’s play was abandoned due to rain and set up a repeat of last year's final against Rafael Nadal. On the resumption, Djokovic broke back in the third game of the day. But he dropped serve and lost his cool in a dramatic 12th game of the set to allow Thiem to move to within a set of the final.

The World No. 1 recovered to take the fourth set but slipped 4-1 down in the decider and saved a point to avoid trailing 5-1 before another hour-long rain break.

Thiem crumbled when serving for the match at 5-3, wasting two match points, but he got another opportunity when Djokovic served at 5-6 and finished the job with a sublime forehand winner. — Reuters