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Australian Open 2022: West Australian Maddison Inglis upsets 23rd seed Leylah Fernandez in first round

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
Maddison Inglis defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the opening round of the Australian Open.
Camera IconMaddison Inglis defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the opening round of the Australian Open. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Going out of her comfort zone to play the best has paid off for Australian Open wild-card Maddison Inglis, who shocked the world with a straight sets victory over US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the first round on Tuesday.

The West Australian stormed into her the second round of a grand slam for the first time, defeating the No.23 seed 6-4 6-2 in just 82 minutes in a comprehensive performance.

Inglis got the only break of the first set, before storming to a 4-0 lead in the second.

The 24-year-old held her nerve to save two break points, before winning the game with an ace to set up a match with US qualifier Hailey Baptiste on Thursday.

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A possible match against 2016 Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the fourth round looms for Inglis.

“I’ve had a fair few experiences now at this level. Today was the most comfortable I’d ever felt out there, which probably has a lot to do with how I played,” Inglis said.

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“I pushed myself last year to play a lot of the WTAs because it is a little bit ... I’m used to playing the ITFs, winning a few matches there, just playing at the lower level a bit.

“I thought to get to the next stage I’m going to have to play these bigger tournaments and the better players. I think that definitely helped me going into today.”

Inglis is guaranteed to walk away with $154,000 in prize money even if she does lose her next match against, a vital cash injection for the rising star who will soon have to be financially independent.

“Once you turn 24, you have to find external help and coaches,” she said.

“It’s going to be a massive help for me this year financially, which is great. Then I cannot focus and stress too much about that and just focus on things on the court.”

Fellow West Australian Astra Sharma’s campaign was ended by Denmark teenager Clara Tauson in straight sets 6-3 6-4 in a tough outing.

The 19-year-old broke Sharma’s serve in game eight to win the first set in just 33 minutes.

While the second was more of a tussle, Sharma could not take advantage of her opportunities, with Tauson saving three break points in an impressive Australian Open debut.

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