Barty’s backhand slice has always been faultless.

But her serve and forehand - two critical weapons on Australian hard courts which have lost some of their pace in recent years - have improved.

I felt like I struggled with rhythm early on in the week,and I’ve been able to progressively get better and better

Ash Barty

Her run around,down the line forehand is now one of the best weapons on the tour.

Her serve picks up more free points than it has previously,making an already high total hold percentage improve.

“I felt like overall this week,my serve has been a real weapon,” Barty said. “I felt like I struggled with rhythm early on in the week,and I’ve been able to progressively get better and better. To go a few matches unbroken is really good.

“All in all,I was able to squeeze myself out of tough moments and I was able to start games well,get ahead in games,which is sometimes important to feel like you’re ahead of the eight-ball and moving in the right direction.

“I was able to look after my service games well,which allowed freedom for the rest of my game.”

Rybakina was poor,making many basic errors during critical points,but Barty has made all of her opponents in Adelaide - Coco Gauff,Sofia Kenin,Iga Swiatek and Rybakina - falter.

That quartet is all ranked inside the top 25,but the relentless pressure Barty applied to their weaknesses made them look much worse,at times.

It’s only the second week of January,but Barty is in mid-season form.

“It’s all relative,isn’t it? It depends on how many matches,it depends on match ups,there are so many different variables coming into what you guys are seeing,” Barty explained.

“And sometimes what you see is completely different to how I feel.

“I feel good leading up to an Australian Open - like I have every year - and each and every preparation is unique,each and every preparation is different,so we take it for what comes and what it is.”