Storm Hunter has reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a fighting three-set victory against Germany's Laura Siegemund on Wednesday.
On her 11th attempt at a major, Hunter got through the second round 6-4 3-6 6-3 at John Cain Arena to set up third-round match against ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova.
Only two Australian women remain in the singles draw with Ajla Tomljanovic to play her second round match against 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko on Thursday.
Hunter storms her way into Australian Open third round
Siegemund had been in good form prior to the match, beating 17th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Australian Open first round.
However, Hunter had the home crowd at John Cain Arena behind her to snare a first set 6-4 that included an astonishing seven breaks of serve.
Hunter did manage to get the first break in the second set before Siegemund clawed it back and secured her own break to close it out 6-3.
The Australian secured a break in the fourth game of the third set and despite Siegemund breaking back in the seventh game, forced another break the following game before serving it out 6-3.
Hunter has never met third-round opponent Krejcikova in a match previously, with the world no.11 holding a Grand Slam title from the French Open in 2021.
Storm Hunter prize money, age and ranking
A veteran of the pro tennis circuit, Hunter has earned US$2,740,239 (AU$4,118,801) in career prize money.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed most of her success on the doubles court.
Hunter has picked up seven doubles titles on the WTA Tour, with her greatest achievement so far being a mixed doubles championship at the US Open in 2022.
She is currently the world No. 1 in doubles and world No. 180 in singles.
Hunter recently recorded her maiden first round singles win at the Australian Open, defeating Sara Errani in straight sets.
She then followed up this breakthrough win with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory over Laura Siegemund in the second round to set up a meeting against Krejcikova.
Her women's doubles campaign is also underway. She won her opening match alongside Colombian player Camila Osorio.
Storm Hunter name change and husband
Storm married her partner Loughlin Hunter in late 2022, officially changing her name from Storm Sanders.
The pair described the event as "the best weekend of our lives" on Instagram.
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