AFP
Defending champion Sofia Kenin exited the Australian Open in tears on Thursday as world number one Ashleigh Barty negotiated a sticky moment to reach the third round.
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas also survived a five-set marathon with Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis, a close friend of showman Nick Kyrgios, to maintain his hopes of a first major win.
With Rafael Nadal resuming his quest for the all-time Grand Slam titles record later, Kenin and Barty topped the day-time bill -- but their matches had very different outcomes.
Self-imposed pressure has weighed heavily on Kenin, 22, the world number four who was defending a Grand Slam title for the first time.
And after an emotional first-round win over wildcard Maddison Inglis, Kenin met her match in the in-form Estonian Kaia Kanepi, who ousted the American 6-3, 6-2.
“I know I couldn’t really handle the pressure,” said an emotional and red-eyed Kenin, who wiped away tears during her press conference.
“I mean, obviously I haven’t experienced that. I obviously felt like I’m not there 100 percent physically, mentally, my game. Everything just feels real off. It's not good.”
While Kenin became just the third defending champion since 1970 to fail to reach the third round, Barty further lifted hopes of a first Australian winner since 1978.
Playing with her left thigh heavily strapped, the top seed twice failed to serve out the win before ousting her 387th-ranked compatriot Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 7-6 (9/7).
Barty, who is unbeaten in seven matches after sitting out nearly all of last year, blamed the lapse on ring-rust.
“I haven’t played a lot of tennis over the last 12 months. Obviously going to have ebbs and flows not only in concentration but level of play as well,” said the Aussie, dismissing any injury concerns.
“This isn’t very subtle,” Barty said, referring to her large bandage. “I’m as fit as a fiddle.
