Caroline Wozniacki and Ons Jabeur out of Australian Open as 16-year-old makes history
Two tennis fan favourite's were at the centre of shock scenes on Wednesday.
Russian young guns Mirra Andreeva and Mari Timofeeva have sent shockwaves around the tennis world after dispatching tennis fan favourites Ons Jabeur and Caroline Wozniacki, respectively, on day four at the Australian Open. On another day of high drama in the women's draw, former Australian Open champion Wozniacki and sixth seed Jabeur became the latest big-name stars to fall.
Tunisia's three-time grand slam runner-up Jabeur was the first to be eliminated from the second round on Wednesday after being trounced by 16-year-old sensation, Andreeva. The teenage prodigy finished runner-up in the junior girls competition at Melbourne Park last year and has proven she's more than capable of competing with the best players on the world's biggest stage.
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Andreeva's 6-0 6-2 thumping of Jabeur saw the Russian claim a special piece of history as the second-youngest player (16 years and 263 days old) to defeat a WTA Top-10 player at a major since the start of 2000. It was also the heaviest defeat in Jabeur's grand slam career. Andreeva had already become the youngest player since Coco Gauff to win a singles match at all four of the grand slams after her round one triumph.
"I feel like I'm a bit more mature."
You're only 16.
"Well, last year I was 15" 😂
Mirra Andreeva • #AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/qrCLl8vYT3— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2024
The Russian teen is regarded as a superstar of the future but her first win over a player ranked inside the world's top 10 suggests her ascension may have already begun. "I was really nervous before the match because I am really inspired by the way (Jabeur) plays," Andreeva said after the match.
The loss was another cruel blow for Jabeur, who has been a fixture inside the world's top 10 for years but still yet to score her breakthrough grand slam title. The Tunisian has lost the past two Wimbledon deciders, and also came up short in the 2022 US Open final to Iga Swiatek. The 29-year-old has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in seven attempts at the Australian Open.
Caroline Wozniacki joins Ons Jabeur on Aus Open scrapheap
The same can't be said for former Melbourne Park queen Wozniacki, who was also sent packing from Melbourne Park by another Russian after going down 1-6 6-4 6-1 to qualifier, Timofeeva. The mother-of-two - playing in just the fifth tournament of her comeback - joined fellow former Open winners and mums Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber as early casualties.
Wozniacki came out of the blocks in commanding form against Timofeeva after storming through the opening set in ruthless fashion. However, the 20-year-old Russian qualifier steadied the nerves and quickly grew into the contest and eventually prevailed against the former World No.1 in two hours and 21 minutes.
"I'm really a bit speechless," Timofeeva said after the match. "It's an honour play here against Caroline. "I went into the match without any expectations, just wanted to show what I was capable of." Tennis fans were equally as gobsmacked by the shock exits of Wozniacki and Jabeur, with social media sent into a frenzy on Wednesday.
What a moment for Maria Timofeeva 👏👏
The qualifier topples Wozniacki 1-6 6-4 6-1. See you in the third round, Maria 👋#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/qZhdc8erMP— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2024
Wow (again, folks!).
20yo Maria Timofeeva beats the 2018 champ and former #1 Caroline Wozniacki 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the 3rd round of the #AusOpen, her first career Grand Slam main draw.
- Wozniacki was 2-0 with BP for 3-0 up in the 2nd & *1-0 40-15 up in the 3rd. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/Grmew7o2TM— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 17, 2024
Maria Timofeeva falls to the ground as she pulls off the comeback of her life against Caroline Wozniacki.
1-6, 0-2 down.
20 years old, but she looks like she’s been here before.
Sensational. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kAaIxjJ64X— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 17, 2024
Just checked back in on the Wozniacki score and-- pic.twitter.com/xE2UW1uMYM
— David Kane (@DKTNNS) January 17, 2024
A star is born 🌟
16-year-old Mirra Andreeva stuns No. 6 seed Jabeur 6-0 6-2 to reach the third round!#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/l71yoKhOXw— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2024
Wow.
16 years old Mirra Andreeva destroys World #6 and her idol Ons Jabeur 6-0, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena to reach the 3rd round at the #AusOpen.
54 minutes.
Biggest win of her career. Incredible scenes. pic.twitter.com/4LvgRrq2rv— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 17, 2024
Turn on to watch the Jabeur/Andreeva match and Jabeur got bagel in 20 minutes in the first set. I'm shocked.#AusOpen
— Charles (@prince_chas_cca) January 17, 2024
Oh my, I am stunned. Obvious that Jabeur needs to work on parts of her game, but...wow.
— Dan Mohr (@DMinWA) January 17, 2024
with AAP
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