Barty wins first Melbourne title by beating Collins

Ashleigh Barty beat Danielle Collins to win the Australian Open title_ ending the home nation's 44-year wait for a Grand Slam women's singles champion.

Top seed Barty fought back from 5-1 down in the second set to win 6-3 7-6 (7-2) on a jubilant Rod Laver Arena.

The 25-year-old Queenslander has won the title without dropping a set in Melbourne this fortnight.

"This is a dream come true for me. I am so proud of being Aussie_" said world number one Barty.

"As an Aussie_ the most important part of this tournament has been being able to share this experience with the fans.

"This crowd is one of the most fun I've played in front of."

Addressing the crowd_ she added: "You relaxed me and forced me to play my best tennis. Thank you."

After winning the 2019 French Open and last year's Wimbledon title_ Barty has now claimed three of the four majors.

With a partisan 12_000-strong crowd and a home nation watching on_ Barty started and ended the final looking unburdened by the weight of expectation.

Among those watching was Chris O'Neil_ the last Australian to win the men's or women's singles title in Melbourne.

Barty_ rarely overcome by emotion_ shouted with delight when she clinched the title with a cross-court forehand winner.

Virtually everyone inside Rod Laver Arena jumped to their feet_ roaring their approval_ many with camera phones in their hand to capture a long-awaited moment for the nation's sports fans.

The world number one's relief at overcoming the burden of history and expectation was clear.

Barty clenched both fists as she dropped to her haunches_ before running over to the side where she beckoned former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua_ now a television analyst_ on to court for a warm hug.

After reaching the Melbourne semi-finals in 2020_ with quarter-final defeats coming in the years either side_ Barty finally landed the prize she really wanted.

The 25-year-old Queenslander had dropped only 21 games on her way to the final and_ although the second set looked to have got away from her at two breaks down_ she regained her composure brilliantly to turn the match back in her favour.

Victory continued her supreme form in 2022_ and she has now won all 11 of her singles matches this year.

After beating three top-20 players to win the Adelaide International title_ she has continued that dominance in Melbourne.

Barty_ who took a break from tennis in 2014 to pursue a professional cricket career_ has often paid tribute to Dellacqua's influence on her success and the kiss on her friend's forehead indicated her gratitude.

There was another special moment for Barty - and the home fans - when the player's idol_ Evonne Goolagong Cawley_ came on to court to present her with the Daphne Akhurst trophy.

Since O'Neil's triumph in 1978_ four players - Kim Warwick_ Wendy Turnbull_ Pat Cash and Lleyton Hewitt - had lost in the men's or women's singles final.

There had been home success in the wheelchair and quad events_ through David Hall and Dylan Alcott_ and in the doubles events.