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Upbeat Barty sets herself for Wimbledon

Australia's former Wimbledon junior champion Ashleigh Barty looms a genuine chance to reign in the real deal at the All England Club in 2018.

Australia's Ashleigh Barty.
Ashleigh Barty is feeling optimistic after her battling display against Serena Williams in Paris. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Ashleigh Barty is eager for greener pastures after falling victim to steely Serena Williams and an unfortunate French Open draw.

Seeded 17th in Paris, Barty would ordinarily be running into Williams in the second week.

But with the 23-times major winner languishing at 451st in the world after 16 months effectively on maternity leave, Williams is unseeded on her grand slam comeback at Roland Garros.

The three-times Open winner needed all her unrivalled grit to battle back from a set and a service break down to deny Barty a famous victory, Williams prevailing 3-6 6-3 6-4 to advance to the third round.

"Any time you get to play a champion like Serena, it's amazing," Barty said.

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"And, I mean, I played well. I feel like I wasn't really doing too much wrong.

"Give me half a dozen forehands and 10 more first serves and maybe it's a different outcome.

"But I feel like this clay court season, we've played well and gone unrewarded a little bit. Played some good players.

"But, at the end of the day, I gave it a crack and it wasn't enough."

Barty is excited about the looming grass-court season and, ultimately, Wimbledon beginning on July 2.

A former winner of the junior title at the All England Club, the 22-year-old has the game to excel on grass, as also proven during her victory over reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza in the Birmingham semi-finals 12 months ago.

The world No.18 says she "absolutely" can't wait to get her campaign under way in Nottingham, before returning to Birmingham and completing her Wimbledon build-up at Eastbourne.

"I have a few days off just to rest and sort of wrap my head around the season of what we've had on the clay," Barty said.

"But, yeah, it's only a week away. So it's exciting."


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