Barty on Oz Open collision course with Osaka

Top-ranked Ash Barty breezed through to the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday for the sixth consecutive year, beating Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-1 in under an hour at the Rod Laver Arena.

Barty is bidding to become the first Australian woman since 1978 to win her home Grand Slam tournament. Provided she wins her next game, however, Barty could end up in a fourth-round showdown against defending champion Naomi Osaka.

Eighth-seed Paula Badosa of Spain, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (15) and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka also advanced to the third round in Melbourne on Wednesday. (AP)