Arnya Sabalenka’s red-hot run is over with Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi stopping the world No.7 in the second round of an Australian Open warm-up tournament at Melbourne Park.
Belarusian Sabalenka started 2021 by wining the Abu Dhabi WTA Open, which was her third consecutive title and extended her winning streak to 15 matches.
But that came to a shuddering halt with 35-year-old Kanepi taking the win 6-1 2-6 6-1 to advance to the third round of the Gippsland Trophy.
Kanepi was almost a first-round casualty, with Australian Astra Sharma two points from a straight-sets victory.
“I felt a lot better today and got some rhythm from the last match,” said Kanepi, the world No.94.
Earlier Australian Open defending champion Sofia Kenin booked a third-round berth in the Yarra Valley Classic when her opponent, Italian Camilla Giorgi retired mid-match with a leg injury.
American Kenin, the world No.4, had won the first set 7-5.