Australian Open 2024: Tweak that could take Coco Gauff all the way ...

Australian qualifier Storm Hunter also progressed by knocking off Italian former world No. 5 Sara Errani 6-4, 6-3. Hunter, 29, is the world’s top doubles player but had never won a match in the singles draw at Melbourne Park until Monday.

That record looked set to continue when she found herself down 0-3 to former Australian Open quarter-finalist Kaia Kanepi in the opening qualifier last week, but Hunter has since won four matches on the trot to reach the second round.

“To be honest, I was 0-3 down first-round quallies, and I was thinking, ‘what am I doing out here on the singles court’? I didn’t feel great,” Hunter said after besting Errani.

“Since that moment … to qualify and win my first round of main draw here, it’s insane. It’s an amazing feeling. The Aussie fans really got behind me. I’ve never had that feeling on the doubles court because usually I’m with a teammate.”

Storm Hunter on the way to victory. AP

Hunter, who will face the winner of Ekaterina Alexandrova and Laura Siegemund on Wednesday, reflected on her childhood spent in a Rockhampton pub and outlined her desire to pay back the heavy sacrifices made by her parents.

“My parents had no money. They were hard workers,” she said. “They knew I had this dream, and they joined the military to give us a better life and a better opportunity.

“We relocated to WA (and) I spent a lot of time not seeing my parents because they were sacrificing their time with me and my brother to give us that support.

“I feel like I owe it to them as well because they sacrificed a lot for me and my brother.”

Aussie teen qualifier Taylah Preston was knocked out in the first round on Monday but Alexei Popyrin beat compatriot Marc Polmans in straight sets to set up a meeting with defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Others still in the running are Alex de Minaur, Rinky Hijikata and Jordan Thompson.