Ashleigh Barty eases past Camila Giorgi into Australian Open fourth round

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty comfortably advanced to the fourth round of the 2022 Australian Open with a 6-2 6-3 victory over 30th seed Camila Giorgi in Rod Laver Arena.

The top-seeded Barty had conceded only three games in her opening two matches, against Lesia Tsurenko and Lucia Bronzetti, the fewest by any player en route to third round since 2013, and on Friday against Giorgi she lost just five games in the encounter that lasted 66 minutes.

Barty was in control throughout the match. She earned an early 3-0 lead. Giorgi won her first game with a love hold, but never managed to endanger the Australian, who sealed the first set with another break. In the second set, Barty recorded a crucial…