Good morning and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Australian Open women's singles third round match between Ash Barty and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Of course, Barty is the home hope here in Melbourne. She is the number one seed in the women's singles. Alexandrova could be a challenging opponent for Barty, though. The two players are in the tunnel area at the Margaret Court Arena, about to walk out on to court.

A. Barty vs E. Alexandrova | Australian Open

Women's Singles | Round 3 | 13.02.2021 | Margaret Court Arena

Completed

A. Barty (1)

E. Alexandrova (29)

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Live Updates

ByMarcus Foley

Updated 13/02/2021 at 09:36 GMT

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Highlights

09:34

BARTY 6-2, 6-4 ALEXANDROVA

A straight sets victory for Barty as she moves into the fourth round. Alexandrova showed glimpses of her ability, but wasn't able to maintain that over the course of the whole match. A bit erratic from the Russian, but Barty looks to be in good shape at the moment.

09:28

BARTY 5-4 ALEXANDROVA* (6-2)

All of a sudden, Barty is just one game away from a place in the fourth round. The world number one has won three games in a row just as she did in the first set to turn it around.

09:25

*BARTY 4-4 ALEXANDROVA (6-2)

Alexandrova saved no fewer than five break points in that game, but the pressure from Barty eventually tells as the Russian can't handle the angle and slice coming her way from the other end of the court.

09:17

BARTY 3-4 ALEXANDROVA* (6-2)

A love service hold from Barty. That was more like what we were seeing from the two players at the end of the first set, but Alexandrova still has a break in this second set.

09:15

*BARTY 2-4 ALEXANDROVA (6-2)

Alexandrova consolidates the break and Barty is under some real pressure in this second set. Her Russian opponent is getting better and better. That was a love hold service game!

09:13

BARTY 2-3 ALEXANDROVA* (6-2)

A break! Alexandrova made the most of a double fault from Barty to put the number one seed under pressure. The Russian clinches break point with a brilliant drop shot Barty couldn't return.

09:10

*BARTY 2-2 ALEXANDROVA (6-2)

That looked to be a lot better from Alexandrova who appears to be finding some better timing. Might we be about to get a more competitive second set after the procession of the first set?

09:06

BARTY 2-1 ALEXANDROVA* (6-2)

Barty gets another quick service game out of the way. She is in complete control of this match at the moment. Going to be difficult for Alexandrova to get back into it.

09:04

09:03

*BARTY 1-1 ALEXANDROVA (6-2)

Alexandrova has stopped the run of games against her with a hold of serve. The Russian is trying to crank up the intensity of her play, but the range isn't quite there yet.

09:01

09:00

BARTY 1-0 ALEXANDROVA* (6-2)

Seven games in a row for Barty now. Alexandrova looks to be having some trouble moving around the court. That could explain why she needed a medical time out at the end of the first set.

08:53

BARTY 6-2 ALEXANDROVA

The first set goes to Barty in just 39 minutes. Alexandrova started well with a break in the first game, but Barty has been using the slice well since then. The Russian has now asked for the trainer. Injury problem?

08:49

BARTY 5-2 ALEXANDROVA*

And now Barty moves to within one game of claiming the first set. Too much spin, too much angle... Alexandrova all of a sudden looks somewhat out of her depth. Barty coming on to a good game now.

08:46

*BARTY 4-2 ALEXADROVA

Just too many errors off the racquet of Alexandrova at the moment. The slice is doing the job for Barty, who after a shaky start has now won four games in a row to take control of this first set.

08:37

BARTY 3-2 ALEXANDROVA*

It's three games in a row from Barty as she moves ahead in this first set for the first time. Much more relaxed. She has found her touch with a couple drop shots including one to secure the game on game point.

08:34

*BARTY 2-2 ALEXANDROVA

Back on serve in this first set as Barty takes the second of three break points. The number one seed is warming to the task after what was a pretty shaky start. Finding some rhythm.

08:29

BARTY 1-2 ALEXANDROVA*

Much better serving from Barty in that service game and the number one seed is on the board. Alexandrova mustn't be underestimated. She already has some big wins this year!

08:27

*BARTY 0-2 ALEXANDROVA

Barty had two break points against the Alexandrova serve, but couldn't take either of them. The Australian is struggling for flow in these opening games. That probably suits the Russian.

08:20

BARTY 0-1 ALEXANDROVA*

Well, that wasn't exactly a great start from the number one seed. Barty saved one break point at 30-40, but then threw in a double fault on another break point and Alexandrova has the early advantage here.