Storm’s winning run swells bank balance by $255,000
Aussie qualifier Storm Hunter says she’s “riding the high” after powering through to the last 32 in a grand slam for the first time by overcoming German veteran Laura Siegemund in three sets in a rollercoaster Australian Open encounter on Wednesday.
The doubles world No. 1 continued her career-best singles form to beat the 35-year-old 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 and became the first Australian woman through to the third round at Melbourne Park since champion Ash Barty and Maddison Inglis in 2022.
The nerves were obvious when Hunter, who was up 4-1 early in the final set, lost her serve trying to go 5-2 up on John Cain Arena as Siegemund defied the parochial Aussie crowd to stage a fightback.
That made it 4-3 but Hunter immediately broke her opponent’s serve to make it 5-3.
Given her chance to serve the game out, the 29-year-old Australian would not be denied and gave an almighty roar when the German put her final shot into the net leaving Hunter victorious and enjoying the biggest week of her singles career.
“I got over the line because of the crowd,” she said.
“I honestly didn’t think I would be standing here and to be in the third round is a dream come true. And in front of my team and my parents, it’s amazing.
“I’m just riding the high right now. You have to enjoy it while you can.”
Hunter’s victory sets up a showdown with Czech ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova, who also took out her German opponent, Tamara Korpatsch, on
Wednesday afternoon. It also ensures the 29-year-old left-hander will leave Melbourne Park with at least $255,000 and significant steps forward in her bid to improve her singles ranking in 2024.
She’s balancing her underdog run through the singles draw with the expectation of a deep doubles run with her new partner Katerina Siniakova, as the third-seeded pair won in the first round in straight sets on Tuesday.
Hunter was recognised as a Newcombe Medal finalist last month for her tremendous 2023 on the doubles circuit, as her and Belgian partner Elise Mertens reached the Wimbledon final and were crowned ITF world champions.
She entered the Australian Open ranked No. 180 in the world but had no problems accounting for the 78thranked Siegemund.