'Absolute disgrace': Aryna Sabalenka's shrieking comes under fire

But as Australia's top ranked woman Ashleigh Barty made a stunning come-from-behind win on Tuesday night, the noise coming from young Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka threatened to derail the entire match.

Tennis commentators, former players and fans labelled the 19-year-old's grunting and shrieking "ridiculous" and "an absolute disgrace", and called on the Women's Tennis Association to put a stop to the screaming they claimed was making the sport unwatchable.

"Something needs to be done about her noise and grunting on court," tweeted retired player and now commentator Tood Woodbridge, tagging the Women's Tennis Association.

Sabalenka's grunting also caused a frisson among late-night spectators with the chair umpire struggling to control the unruly crowd as they mocked the the Belarusian, disturbing a serve and angering Ipswich-born Barty.

"Ladies and gentleman, please during the rallies do not scream," the umpire warned the Rod Laver Arena audience who ignored her, their grunting becoming louder.

"Please. Just have the courtesy for the players, please," she said as Barty shook her head.

On Twitter, sports commentators described the noise as unacceptable and called on authorities to reign it in.

"This Sabalenka is deadset grunting as the ball passes over, or has passed, the net," wrote Gold Coast Bulletin sports editor Todd Balym.

"It's bloody ridiculous. @WTA [Women's Tennis Association] need to stamp out this crap. Makes tennis unwatchable."

Radio commentators Michael Christian of 3AW and RSN's Adam White were also unimpressed.

"It's totally unacceptable the amount of 'noise' coming out of Aryna Sabalenka's mouth as she hits most of her shots," tweeted White. "It must be a distraction to Ash Barty. It's ruining the match."

Echoed Christian: "Sorry @ashbar96 would love to keep watching and supporting you but can't take that prolonged screeching from Sabalenka anymore. An absolute disgrace!!! Good luck."

Viewers claimed Sabalenka's shrieking was akin to cheating and said they were disppointed she had not been cautioned for what they alleged was an unfair edge over Barty.

"Too late for @WTA to act now of course but in Sabalenka, they have, quite literally, created a monster," wrote one fan. "No opponent should ever have to contend with this noise."

Said another: "Frankly I'm disappointed that no one is giving her some kind of warning".

In a post-match press conference, Barty revealed she had prepared for her opponent's audible playing style.

"We knew it was coming. I hadn't seen a lot of her matches, but my coach had watched vision. He was aware it was coming."

"I think if something that small can irritate you (on court), that's a bigger issue in itself. I knew it was coming. I was prepared for it."

New York Times' Ben Rothenberg went as far to suggest that Sabalenka's grunting would taint her career.

"I do love everything else about Sabalenka's game, and hate that the grunting is going to overshadow it for so many. Wildly bold, heavy metal tennis."

With Victoria Azarenka missing this Australian Open and Sabalenka now vanquished, aggreived tennis fans will now have to contend with Maria Sharapova, who squares off against Anastasija Sevastova on Thursday morning.