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Teen sensation knocks Aussie out of Open

Ashleigh Barty and Daria Gavrilova are the last locals remaining in the women's Australian Open draw after wildcard Olivia Rogowska crashed out to Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk.

The 26-year-old world No.168 burned a golden chance to break her third-round jinx at Melbourne Park, going down to 15-year-old Kostyuk 6-3 7-5 at Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday.

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It was Rogowska's third chance to break into the last 32 on home soil, after second-round exits in 2012 and 2014.

For Kostyuk however, it marks the first time since Nicole Vaidisova in 2005 that a 15-year-old has made the third round at Melbourne Park.

Kostyuk is the first 15-year-old into round three since 2005. Pic: Getty
Kostyuk is the first 15-year-old into round three since 2005. Pic: Getty

The teen qualifier became the first player born in 2002 to win in the main draw of a Grand Slam when she stunned Chinese 25th seed Peng Shuai in straight sets.

That victory saw Kostyuk become the youngest player since Martina Hingis to make the last 32 at Melbourne Park.

However, Kostyuk will have her work cut out for her to match the Swiss legend's quarter-final run at Melbourne Park in 1996.

The 6-3, 7-5 win took the Ukrainian teenager's win streak at Melbourne Park to an incredible 11 straight matches after winning the Australian Open girls' title in 2017 and coming through qualifying this year.

Playing since the age of five and watched by mum Talina Beyko in her player's box on Margaret Court Arena, Kostyuk said she had been used to setting new standards.

"I think I broke some records every year so I feel OK about it," she said.

Kostyuk endured a couple of wobbles in the second set, including a serve off the frame into the crowd on her first of two match points, before getting over the finish line and breaking into a massive smile.

The youngster is managed by former player Ivan Ljubicic, Roger Federer's coach, and said she was pleased to have such experience in her corner.

"He is always helping me, telling me what was wrong, even when I win," she said laughing. "I am lucky to have his experience."

The Ukrainian next faces compatriot Elina Svitolina in the third round, after the 23-year-old beat Russian Katerina Siniakova 4-6 6-2 6-1.

Fourth-seeded Svitolina exploded with a animated double fist pump after battling back from a set down to progress on Wednesday.

Svitolina is next up for 15-year-old Kostyuk. Pic: Getty
Svitolina is next up for 15-year-old Kostyuk. Pic: Getty

Siniakova, a former Australian Open junior finalist who toppled Maria Sharapova en route to the final of the season opener in Shenzhen, needed treatment for a leg complaint midway through the second set.

It was the setback Svitolina needed, with the Czech winning just one more game after the medical time-out.

Svitolina conceded it was tough going in her first appearance of the tournament on Rod Laver Arena.

"I thought I'm going to melt today. It was not easy and I was struggling a bit," she said after the two-and-a-quarter hours work-out.

"Hopefully I can recover. I can't wait for an ice bath."