By Jonathan Jurejko – BBC Sport at Melbourne Park
World number one Ashleigh Barty says continuing to live like a “hermit” is helping her breeze through the Australian Open draw.
Australian Barty, 25, reached the third round by beating Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1 6-1 on Wednesday.
Defending champion Naomi Osaka also looked set for a win inside an hour against American Madison Brengle.
Japan’s Osaka won the first set in 20 minutes but lost her way in the second before securing a 6-0 6-4 victory.
Barty will face Italian 30th seed Camila Giorgi next, while Osaka faces exciting American teenager Amanda Anisimova.
Anisimova beat Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic 6-2 7-5 and has yet to lose a match this season.
Another serving masterclass from Barty
As she aims to become the first home champion since 1978, Barty says trying to avoid coronavirus, as rates rise in Melbourne, has not affected her.
“For us, it’s pretty low-key anyway,” she said.
“We come and practice and do what we need to do. Otherwise, a good book and a coffee and I’m set.”
The two-time Grand Slam champion has not dropped a game on her serve at Melbourne Park this week, beating Bronzetti in 52 minutes to back-up another emphatic win in the first round.
On Monday, the 2021 Wimbledon champion dropped one game as she thrashed Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko in 54 minutes.
Barty has started the 2022 season by winning all six of her matches, having lifted the Adelaide International title last week.
