With the result, the World No.1’s prospects of advancing to the semi-finals suffered a blow. Barty was facing the Dutchwoman after she took Naomi Osaka’s place in the draw following the Australian Open champion’s withdrawal with a shoulder injury.
Bertens made the most of the opportunity. After feeling her way through the first set, the World No. 10 - who reached the semi-finals of last year’s tournament - raised her game to hand Barty her first loss of the competition.
“In the beginning, I think was not playing so well,” said Bertens. “I had to feel the court a little bit more, but I think I was getting better and better in the rhythm, trying to play aggressive and trying to come to the net. I think I did pretty well.”
Barty’s status as World No.1 in the year-end rankings was confirmed following her win over Belinda Bencic on Sunday and the Australian looked impressive in the opening set, even as both players had trouble holding their serve. Bertens, though, turned the tables in the second set, breaking the 23-year-old in the penultimate game to level the scores and take the match into a decider.
She carried that form into the final set and, as Barty struggled on her own serve, Bertens closed out the match to record her first-ever win over the French Open champion in five attempts. “We know we’re still alive in the tournament,” said Barty.
“That’s the beauty of round-robin. It’s a different format. But it’s not going to stress me out too much. We’ll hit the practice court (on Wednesday) and come back on Thursday, try to play for a spot in the semis.”
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