Kimberly Birrell has become the second Australian to cause a major French Open upset after ousting fifth seed Jessica Pegula in three sets.
Birrell sealed a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Pegula, who has never made it past the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros. The American has now been bounced in the first round of the French Open in three straight years.
After a blazing start, Pegula lost her composure as unforced errors crept into her game, which allowed world number 83 Birrell to take control and reach at least the second round of a grand slam for the third time.
Birrell, 28, will next face Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova.
The victory came after fellow Australian Adam Walton shocked former world number one Daniil Medvedev earlier in the day.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka sealed a stylish win to make the second round of the French Open, while Naomi Osaka brought runway flair to Roland-Garros.
Reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff also advanced after recovering from a sluggish start to outclass Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0.
Dressed in a black and red mesh outfit and wearing a diamond necklace, Sabalenka dismissed Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 before brushing off concerns about the added flourish by saying she was completely at ease.
Aryna Sabalenka (pictured) cruised into the second round with a win over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. (Getty Images: Franco Arland)
“I like to challenge myself,” the Belarusian told reporters.
“But at the same time, the dress is super light … I don’t feel the dress on me. I was thinking it’s going to be super hot wearing black, but it doesn’t feel like black colour on me, I feel really comfortable.
“And the diamonds, I don’t really feel the heaviness of it, but I can imagine how it looks from the outside … for me, it’s important to look good. If I feel good looks-wise, I perform better and I feel great.”
While Sabalenka set the tone, former world number one Osaka added a touch of Parisian flair as she walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a sequined blouse and a black mesh floor-length train before unveiling a layered yellow-brown and gold match dress.
The tennis was equally sparkling as the 16th seed overcame tricky German Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6(3) before hinting at the inspiration behind her match outfit.
“I feel like … you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly? I think I look like that a bit,” Osaka said.
Reuters/ABC
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