Ashleigh Barty Wins Australian Open Women’s Singles Title

Ashleigh Barty served against Danielle Collins during the women’s singles final.Credit...Loren Elliott/ReutersMELBOURNE, Australia — Ashleigh Barty ended a 44-year wait on Saturday night, defeating Danielle Collins of the United States to become the first Australian player to win the Australian Open singles title since 1978.

Barty, born and raised in the steamy Australian state of Queensland, has been ranked No. 1 for more than 100 weeks and has become a hugely popular figure in her home nation. Her matches during the Open this year have attracted large television audiences.

But until now, her most significant triumphs have come far from home. She won her first Grand Slam singles title in…