Monique Barry disappointed but kept fighting in ASB Classic defeat

New Zealand wildcard Monique Barry has exited the ASB Classic after a 6-2 6-1 first-round loss to Germany’s Ella Seidel on Tuesday.

Barry, ranked 726 in the world, was always facing a tough assignment against the world No 84, but said she was disappointed not to show the level she believes she is capable of.

“It was tough. I wish I could have done better,” Barry said.

“I was trying to do what I could each point and hope to try and get in there and find some rhythm, but I just couldn’t find that today, so I was a little bit disappointed, but happy that I kept trying every point and tried to find something to smile about out there.”

Barry said she had trained well coming into the tournament and wanted to make the most of her wildcard opportunity, making the loss an emotional one.

“I think, just a bit disappointed that I know my level, and it didn’t show today, and the last couple of years, it has been showing,” she said.

“I love playing here and I love the crowd, but I just didn’t feel like anything was really working.

“So it was a little bit frustrating. I wish I could have shown people a little bit better.”

The match began steadily, with Barry broken early before responding by breaking Seidel’s serve in the fifth game. However, while she continued to win some impressive points, she was unable to match the German’s consistency as the match wore on.

Encouraged by strong support on Centre Court at the Manuka Doctor Arena, Barry continued to compete and avoided a second-set shutout by winning a game when 5-0 down.

Barry said the occasion itself was not overwhelming, but the pressure she felt came from wanting to perform for a home crowd.

“It’s just the expectation of yourself,” she said.

“You’re representing New Zealand and you’re the only one in main draw to hopefully do well.

“Especially with Lulu being our No 1, and I want to be able to follow in her footsteps.”

Meanwhile, later in the day Erin Routliffe and Asia Muhammad lost a nail biter of a match, 3-6 6-2 12-10 to Jesika Maleckova and Renata Zarazua.