The Latest on the Australian Open (all times local):
12:35 p.m.
The top-ranked women's player in the world is also the first one into the fourth round at the Australian Open.
Australia's Ashleigh Barty makes a backhand return to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)
French Open champion and local hope Ash Barty beat 29th-seeded Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6- 2 in the opening match at Rod Laver Arena.
Barty will next play either Alison Riske or Julia Goerges.
After a disruptive day weather-wise on Thursday, mostly sunny skies returned to Melbourne Park on Day 5.
Other top players in action later are Serena Williams, defending champions Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka and 20-time Grand Slam singles winner Roger Federer.
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