Australian Open 2021 - Defending champion Sofia Kenin is knocked out by in-form Kaia Kanepi

ByJames Kilpatrick

Updated 11/02/2021 at 05:01 GMT

Sofia Kenin is out of the Australian Open. The 2021 Australian Open is live on Eurosport. Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk. You can download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now. The opening Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne runs from February 8 until February 21.

Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin is out of the grand slam in 64 minutes after falling to a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi in the second round on Margaret Court Arena.

Kanepi has been in fine form recently, reaching the final of the Gippsland Trophy warm-up tournament last week, and has now picked up her 21st victory in her last 23 matches since October.

She was too good, slamming down 10 aces and grabbing 22 winners against Kenin who looked very nervous throughout.

Australian Open

Swiatek survives Kenin test to set up Collins showdown in round two

16/01/2024 at 05:54

• Australian Open LIVE
• Order of play

The first set lasted 35 minutes with the American making too many unforced errors (13) having been broken by the 35-year-old in the fourth game. Kenin slammed her racket into the ground in frustration after dropping the set.

Kenin, who looked to be playing with nerves, started the second set well after a toilet break and comfortably took the first game, but ruthless Kanepi went a break up and never looked back, getting another one at 5-2 up en route to producing arguably the biggest upset of the Australian Open so far.

Kanepi will be hoping to continue her good run against 28th seed Donna Vekic in the third round.

Highlights | Sofia Kenin - Kaia Kanepi

KANEPI: I SERVED REALLY WELL

“I served really well today," she said post-match.

"I think this helped a lot. My gameplan was to play aggressive as I normally do.

"Right now I’m not prepared for the next match but I hope in two days I will be. I have played her [Vekic] so I know a little about how she plays.”

- - -

A head-turning offer for head-turning tennis. One-month premium subscription for just 99p on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk.

Australian Open

Swiatek clinches very impressive opening victory over former champion Kenin

00:01:04

|

16/01/2024 at 04:54

Australian Open

'Huge respect' - Swiatek on defeating former champion Kenin in opener

00:03:46

|

16/01/2024 at 04:39

Australian Open

Australian Open draw takeaways: Murray could face Djokovic, Swiatek's tough path

11/01/2024 at 12:10