Brilliant Barty shifts focus to US Open after cruising to Cincinnati victory

Ash Barty has wrapped up her preparations for the US Open in emphatic style, with a ruthless victory over Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann in the final the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Ashleigh Barty of Australia celebrates after winning the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati Source: Getty Images

SBS will broadcast all 2021 US Open men’s and women’s singles quarter-finals, semi-finals and both finals LIVE, FREE and in HD, and live streamed via SBS On Demand from September 8-13.

The world number 1 eased to a 6-3 6-1 win in the final to wrap up the WTA 1000 event and her fifth title of the season.

Barty said the win puts her in “really good stead” for the US Open, the Australian's next target after a dominant season.

The Wimbledon champion, who didn't drop a set all week in Cincinnati, again looked in a class above her opponent Teichmann - winning the final in just 72 minutes for the 13th title of her career.

"It's been an awesome week. I felt like with each match we're getting progressively better and better in most parts of my game," Barty said.

“I think being able to come through and play a really clean week and walk away with the title is probably not what I really expected of myself, but (it’s) certainly nice.”

Barty’s victory was the first singles triumph by an Australian woman at Cincinnati since Evonne Goolagong in 1973.

It was her 40th match victory of the year - the most in the WTA Tour in 2021.

So far this season, the 25-year-old has lifted titles in Melbourne, Miami, Stuttgart, Wimbledon and now Cincinnati.

Barty will go into next week’s US Open as one of the favourites for the event alongside reigning champion Naomi Osaka.

Two-time grand slam winner, Barty has never been past the fourth round of the US Open but will be hoping for a career-best performance at Flushing Meadows by maintaining the stunning form she’s shown all year.

The draw for the US Open will be announced on Friday, August 27 with first round matches to get underway on August 31 (AEST).