Alicia Barnett becomes new British No.1 in women’s doubles
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Congratulations to Alicia Barnett on becoming the new British No.1 in women’s doubles after reaching a new career high ranking of world No.69.
Barnett and her partner Olivia Nicholls – who also reached a new career best ranking at No.72 – overtook former British No.1 Sam Murray Sharan in the WTA rankings following their first WTA title in Granby last week.
The British duo had to come back from a set down to fellow Brit Harriet Dart and her partner Rosalie Van der Hoek to win their maiden WTA 250 trophy on the Canadian hard courts.
It has been incredible year with a lot of firsts,” said Barnett off the back of yet another landmark moment in her career. “This achievement is really special and I couldn’t have done it without Liv or our team.”
“Last week meant a lot as we have pushed really hard – we will definitely use this momentum to finish the season strong!”
Barnett and Nicholls have been two of Britain’s standout stars this season, rising up the ranks to become regulars on the WTA Tour and eventually lift their first tour title.
This achievement is really special and I couldn’t have done it without Liv or our team.
Starting the season at world No.184, Barnett has worked hard to climb her way to the top 70, with some of the biggest victories in her career. A series of ITF W60 finals to start the year, resulted in her and Nicholls taking their biggest title of their careers at the W60 Bellinzona.
This achievement was then broken just months later as the two marched to victory at the W100 Grodzisk Mazowiecki, before claiming a first WTA title just two weeks later.
The Brits also made their Wimbledon debut this season, reaching the second round of the women’s doubles. But the 28-year-old pulled off one of the results of the tournament alongside Jonny O’Mara in the mixed doubles, defeating former Wimbledon champions Jamie Murray and Venus Williams in a tense match tie-break 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 [18-16].
With plenty left to play for this season, Barnett will be hoping to taste victory once again as she continues on her journey to the top of the doubles game.
