Australian Open: Storm Hunter Upsets Sara Errani in Straight Sets

A new rule allowing spectators to enter arenas and take their seats between each game – rather than every second game when there is a change of ends – is delighting fans but dividing players at this year’s Australian Open. Spectators who want to enter the stadium during the match are normally required to line up at the closest entrance until the next change of ends, which can commonly take up to 10 minutes during hard-fought games.

Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been bundled out in straight sets during the first round of the Australian Open against qualifier Dayana Yastremska. The Czech lost to Yastremska in a shock upset, 6-1 and 6-2 at John Cain Arena this morning.

Aussie teen Taylah Preston is out in straight sets, in her match against experienced Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina on 1573 Arena. Preston, an 18-year-old wildcard, has gone out in her first grand slam match at the age of 18. She lost her singles debut 6-2, 6-2 to Svitolina, just inside an hour.

Melburnian Storm Hunter is no stranger to the Australian summer, and it’s showing on court at Kia Arena. Despite the heat, the world no.179 just won the first set against Italian Sara Errani 6-4. Errani is ranked 101 and is staying competitive against her Australian counterpart, so the show certainly isn’t over yet.

Qualifier Dayana Yastremska has blasted her way to a one-set lead over Marketa Vondrousova, the seventh seed. Ukrainian Yastremska took the first set 6-1 and is now up a break early in the second. She’s battling to hold serve and maintain her advantage.

Aussie qualifier Storm Hunter has taken the first two games of the first set against Sara Errani. Hunter got the early break against the Italian, a good start against tough opposition. That’s even though Errani is a French Open finalist, US Open semi-finalist, and five-time doubles slam champion.

And the match between Aussie player Storm Hunter and Italian Sara Errani is about to get underway at Kia Arena. Hunter ended last year’s tennis season as the world’s No.1 female doubles player.