The Kazahke Elena Rybakina, world No.3 and finalist last year in Melbourne, was eliminated Thursday in the second round of the Australian Open by the Russian Anna Blinkova, 57th in the world, who won 6-4 , 4-6, 7-6 (22/20).
It took ten match points for Blinkova, who saved six herself, to conclude in a super tie-break with twists and turns, 32 minutes long. Born like Rybakina in Moscow, the 25-year-old Russian had never reached the third round in Melbourne in six appearances in the main draw.