Cricket break helps Ashleigh ace return

MELBOURNE - The relentless grind of the professional tennis tour proved too much for Ashleigh Barty during her teenage years, but a break from the game to play cricket appears to be paying dividends.

Little more than a year after re-committing to tennis, Australian Barty won her first WTA singles title in Malaysia on Sunday, raising fresh hopes the former Wimbledon junior champion might be on track to fulfil her potential.

There may have been a modest field competing in Kuala Lumpur, but it was a challenge for qualifier Barty, who had to win six matches before beating Japan's Nao Hibino in the final.