Australian Open: Storm Hunter makes unlikely run into final 32

An Australian doubles star is continuing to make waves in the singles as she pulled off another big upset on Wednesday.

Storm Hunter is the first Aussie woman through to the third round of the Australian Open after beating German world No. 78 Laura Siegemund. Picture: William West / AFP

Aussie singles bolter Storm Hunter says her gruelling tournament schedule is “a nice problem to have” after winning through to the third round of a grand slam for the first time on Wednesday.

The doubles world No. 1 overcame German veteran Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a rollercoaster clash on John Cain Arena which sent tournament organisers scrambling to squeeze in her doubles and mixed doubles commitments alongside a third-round showdown against ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova.

Hunter will meet the Czech former French Open champion on Friday, but first has a Thursday morning assignment with Australian veteran Matt Ebden in the mixed doubles while a second-round doubles clash also needs to be played before the weekend.

The 29-year-old and her new Czech partner Katerina Siniakova entered the doubles as the third seeds, and Hunter said she still had big aspirations for the format while focusing on the singles.

“I won my first (singles) round at Roland Garros and then had doubles and mixed … obviously making the third round is a little bit different but I’m prepared for that, I think it’s just a bonus to be honest,” she said.

Storm Hunter is through to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in the singles after beating German world No. 78 Laura Siegemund. Picture: Kelly Defina / Getty Images

“If you’re winning, it’s a great problem to have.

“I have goals in doubles I really want to achieve too, so I’m just trying to ride the wave – it doesn’t happen every day, so I’m just enjoying it right now.”

United Cup teammate Alex de Minaur said Hunter’s win on Wednesday was an “amazing achievement” after she had little time to prepare for the singles before entering qualifying at Melbourne Park last week.

“I told her there I was so impressed with her level in the mixed (doubles), I thought it was unbelievable and the tennis she played throughout the whole of the United Cup,” de Minaur said.

“I think it’s a pretty amazing achievement, what she’s accomplished considering the lack of preparation she was able to have going from the United Cup straight into qualifying.

“Hopefully this gives her the belief to pursue her singles career a lot more.”

Hunter, who is currently the world No. 180, said she had already been planning to sacrifice doubles tournaments to continue her singles momentum in 2024.

Storm Hunter began her successful qualifying bid of minimal singles preparation after playing mixed doubles with Matt Edben (right) for Australia in the United Cup. Picture: Brett Hemmings / Getty Images

“I’m not young anymore, I’m not planning on playing forever, so while my body is feeling good I do want to give singles a good crack,” she said.

I’m definitely trying to fit in more singles weeks, so I’m going to have to try and sacrifice some doubles here and there.

“I haven’t quite worked that out yet, but I think once we’ve finished here we’ll sit down and reassess the schedule.”

Hunter promised to go on the attack against Krejcikova, who she compared to her friend and longtime doubles partner Ash Barty for her ability to control play from the baseline.

“I’ve just got to back myself, play an aggressive game style and try not to give her a chance to dictate the court,” she said.

Her win made her the first Australian woman through to the third round at Melbourne Park since Barty and Maddison Inglis in 2022.

Ajla Tomljanovic will play her second-round match on Thursday against 11th seed and fierce rival Jelena Ostapenko, while wildcard trio Taylah Preston, Kimberly Birrell and Olivia Gadecki were all bundled out of the first round in straight sets.

Originally published as Australian Open: Storm Hunter makes unlikely run into final 32