As it happened Australian Open 2022: Ashleigh Barty wins the Australia’s first women’s singles title in 44 years; Special Ks win the men’s doubles

Ashleigh Barty d. Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty has finally put to bed one of the biggest droughts in Australian sport, a 44-year wait for a new home-grown Australian Open singles champion, defeating American Danielle Collins in an absorbing women’s final.

The Australian was victorious in straight sets but it was the manner in which the 25-year-old rallied from a seemingly down-and-out position in the second set to recover and close it out without the need for a decider that will be remembered for years, if not decades, to come.

Barty clinched the victory 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) in one hour and 27 minutes, adding the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to her Wimbledon and Roland Garros trophies secured in 2021 and 2019 respectively.

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Thanks so much for following along on such a historic night for Australian tennis.

Ash Barty is the Australian Open women’s singles champion breaking a 44-year drought while Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios are men’s doubles champions after winning in straight sets.

We will be back tomorrow night at 6pm for our men’s final live blog so please join us then.

Bye for now.

Nick Kyrgios arrived ready to enjoy the party after Barty that was the Australian Open men’s doubles final.

He squirted water from a bottle at an unsuspecting security guard. He chewed gum. He thumped his chest.

And along the way Kyrgios hit (and missed) a tennis ball in every manner you could imagine as he and Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated Matt Ebden and Max Purcell 7-5, 6-4 to notch a memorable triumph.

He’s a smart alec, but it’s hard to argue he’s not watchable, the combination with Kokkinakis enlivening the crowd after a wholesome, nation-lifting win from Ash Barty.

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The Special Ks will be serving for the match at 5-3.

The Special Ks had one match point that was denied by their opponents and they couldn’t get another, at least in that game.

It’s all on their serve now.

The stadium is booing a couple of fools who appeared to scream out just as Purcell served.

Now play has resumed.