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'Over the moon': Maddison Inglis in stunning Australian Open career first

Australian hopeful Maddison Inglis has won through to the third round of the Australian Open, the best grand slam performance of the wildcard's career. Pictures: Getty Images
Australian hopeful Maddison Inglis has won through to the third round of the Australian Open, the best grand slam performance of the wildcard's career. Pictures: Getty Images

Australian wildcard Maddison Inglis has won through to the first grand slam third round of her career, defeating American qualifier Hailey Baptiste in three sets (7-6,(7-4) 2-6, 6-2).

The 24-year-old had already added to the chaotic women's draw in the first round when she defeated US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, and she stood tall after a second set breakdown to win through to the round of 32 the hard way.

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Having spoken about the last 12 months demanding an increased sense of maturity after her first round win, Inglis showed just what she meant after Baptiste dominated the second set.

Baptiste won eight of 10 games in the second set at one point before Inglis was able to regain the momentum.

There were several key moments in the deciding third set which went Inglis' way, starting with an impressive break of serve in the fourth game of the set.

Inglis truly turned the match on her following serve, battling back from 0-40 down to go up 4-2.

From there she never looked back, erupting in delight in front of an appreciative home crowd.

The win means she'll bank a career-high $221,000 payday for her efforts, a life-changing performance for the world No.133.

After the match, Inglis admitted she'd gotten a little lucky at times in the third set, but thanked the crowd for rallying behind her.

“I got a little bit lucky in the (sixth) game there, so I’m really grateful for that,” Inglis said.

“Hailey played really well in the second set. She served well and I thought I made a few errors at not a great time but I’m so glad that I could get my energy back in the third thanks to you guys.

“I’m over the moon.”

Muguruza, Kontaveit crash out of the Australian Open

Danish teenager Clara Tauson and French veteran Alize Cornet have blown the Australian Open women's draw wide open with two stunning upsets at Melbourne Park.

Tauson surprised even herself with a 6-2 6-4 second-round win over sixth seed Anett Kontaveit before Cornet sent world No.3 Garbine Muguruza packing minutes later on Thursday.

Cornet's 6-3 6-3 defeat of Muguruza is the shock of the tournament thus far and vaulted the 32-year-old into a third-round clash with Tamara Zidansek.

A former world No.1 and 2020 Open runner-up, Muguruza had loomed as a potential final opponent for Australian title favourite Ash Barty after winning the 2021 season-ending championship in November.

The Spaniard's exit instead opens the door for Cornet and US Open champion Emma Radacanu to emerge as the quarter-finalist from their pocket of the draw.

France's Alize Cornet continued the trend of shock upsets in the women's draw, toppling world No.3 Garbine Murguza. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
France's Alize Cornet continued the trend of shock upsets in the women's draw, toppling world No.3 Garbine Murguza. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The junior champion at Melbourne Park three years ago, Tauson could barely believe it after ousting Kontaveit in the day's first boilover.

After gate-crashing the world's top 10 for the first time, Kontaveit reached the semi-finals of the season-ending championships in Mexico and opened 2022 with a run to the last four in Sydney last week.

But Tauson blew the Estonian off court to enhance the 19-year-old's reputation as the new Great Dane of tennis after the retirement of 2018 Australian Open champion and former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki.

"I didn't really go into this match with a winning thought and I was just so happy to be here," Tauson said.

"Anett has been playing well the last few months. I was just going in to see where my level was at and here I am."

With AAP

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