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1st Australian to win the event since Chris O'Neil captured women's title in 1978
The Associated Press(Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Ash Barty will no longer need to overthink the 1970s when she prepares for the Australian Open.
The top-ranked Barty recovered from 5-1 down in the second set to beat Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the final on Saturday night, ending a 44-year drought for Australian women at their home Grand Slam tournament.
The pressure is off the 25-year-old Aussie, who has made a remarkable career comeback after taking time off — missing every Grand Slam tournament in 2015 and '16 — and briefly flirting with taking up a professional cricket career after three first-round exits at the majors in 2014.
The usually reserved Barty let out a yell of sheer delight when she finally ensured she was the first Australian singles champion here since Chris O'Neil won the women's title in 1978.
"Yeah, it was a little bit surreal," she said from Melbourne. "I didn't quite know what to do or what to feel, and I think just being able to let out a little bit of emotion, which is a little bit unusual for me, and being able to celebrate with everyone who was there in the crowd, the energy was incredible tonight."
WATCH | Barty ends Australian drought with final victory:
