Barty outlasts Kontaveit in three sets to advance in Cincinnati

For a while, things looked bleak for Ashleigh Barty but after two hours and 10 minutes, she finally put away Anett Kontaveit, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, to move into the Cincinnati quarterfinals.

"I think today I certainly had some challenges," said Barty. "My tennis probably wasn't at its best level but proud of the way we were able to fight and hang in and kind of make a match of it at times when I probably didn't deserve to be able to stay in the match."

Coming off a second-round exit at the Rogers Cup (where Barty was stunned by 20-year-old Sofia Kenin), she got her first win in Cincinnati over Maria Sharapova on Wednesday. Her early Toronto loss gave back Naomi Osaka the WTA No. 1 ranking.

On Thursday, Kontaveit came out swinging. After handing back an early lead, she got a second break in the ninth game and had no trouble consolidating to claim the first set.

At the US Open, Barty will be looking for her second major. (Getty Images)

After exchanging a couple of breaks, Barty found an opening in the 12th game, pouncing to send the match to a decisive set. In the seventh game of the third set, the 23-year-old Estonian secured the first break to take control of the match. A challenge by the Aussie that would have given Kontaveit a match point proved crucial by going Barty’s way. She leveled the set a couple of points later.

The world No. 2 took advantage of the momentum to send the No. 20 packing despite committing an overall 49 unforced errors. What was working early for Kontaveit was her ability to dictate points, forcing the top seed to counter-punch. Later in the match, Barty found her footing as she started to impose a more aggressive game style.

Barty will face either Maria Sakkari, who rallied past Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4.

"I think these conditions suit Maria when she can use her kick serve, use her forehand when she has time," Barty said. "I think that's the challenge for me tomorrow, is to go out there and try and nullify that serve as best that I can and try and be on top of some points."