'Clutch': Ash Barty cashes in on 'unusual' new rule to advance

World No.1 Ash Barty has advanced to the Yarra Valley Classic semi-final after defeating Shelby Rogers in a third set super tiebreak.

Barty started off her quarter-final clash in a tense battle with the American, but took the break to claim the first set 7-5.

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The second set was a different story as the American charged back, much like Barty’s dip in intensity in the previous round, and stormed away 6-2.

However, in a new rule introduced to speed up matches due to the suspension of play the previous day, all WTA matches at one set a piece will be decided by a super tiebreak.

And Barty showed why she is the World No.1 and held her nerve to run away with super tiebreak 10-4.

The commentator described Barty’s level in the super tiebreak as ‘clutch’ as the Aussie No.1 took it up a gear and dominated the points.

‘It was not straight forward, but the World No.1 figures out a way,” the commentator added.

Barty said it was an ‘unusual’ scoring system for the players in the super tiebreak, but she was able to lift her game.

“I feel like I did well to hang in there at times and then Shelby was able to hit me off the court during other times,” Barty said.

“It was an important start to that third-set tiebreak in a bit of an unusual sort of scoring system for us.

“But I'm happy to get through and get another opportunity tomorrow.”

Barty also found it tough to adjust to indoor conditions, after the roof was closed because of rain in Melbourne.

“Regardless of what conditions you're dealt with, it's about me coming out here and trying to do the best that I can,” the top seed said.

“There were certainly some challenges today but I was happy to click into gear and find a way in that third set.”

Virus chaos shakes up Melbourne schedule

All five Australian men will have to back up for quarter-final matches on the same day should they win through their round-of-16 clashes.

With no indication of reduced matches on the ATP-side, it could present a substantial physical challenge given the already limited preparations for players under COVID.

Nick Kyrgios will play old adversary Borna Coric at the Murray River Open as three of his fellow Australians also eye off spots in the last eight.

Alex Bolt will take on three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka; Alexei Popyrin is up against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov; and James Duckworth will play Frenchman Corentin Moutet.

At the Great Ocean Road Open, Jordan Thompson plays Mario Viella Martinez and is also slated to feature later in the day should he win through to the quarter-finals.

with AAP

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