Australian can build on straight sets win over Han Xinyun

WTA Malaysian Open final
BT Sport 2, 9.30am Sunday

Qualifier Ashleigh Barty is bidding to clinch her first WTA singles title in the Malaysian Open final and the Australian ace should make light work of Japanese number five Nao Hibino.

The 20-year-old from Queensland – a 25-1 chance pre-tournament – has won six matches to reach the showpiece and recorded a straight sets win over Han Xinyun in the semi-finals.

Barty is improving fast and she has produced a number of eye-catching performances this year to suggest she’s capable of climbing up the rankings.

The youngster reached round three of the Australian Open, silencing Annika Beck and Shelby Rodgers, and forced former world number two Angelique Kerber to a deciding set in the Brisbane International.

Home advantage will have helped then but she’s very much on the up and a quarter-final appearance in Taipei last year showed glimpses of her talent.

Nerves may be a factor but Hibino is only 22 herself and Barty should be bullish.

Recommendation
A Barty to win 2-0
1pt 4-5 Coral