Unknown Aussie pulls off massive upset

The unheralded 23-year-old produced scintillating tennis to defeat the dual Wimbledon champion 6-7(4) 7-5 6-2 — her first win over a top 20 player.

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A nasty hip injury has cruelled Hon’s recent seasons and the former world No. 118 has fallen to 263 in the rankings.

But she showed she is more than capable of taking it to the world’s top players in the three-setter against Kvitova.

Hon won four of her six break point opportunities and hit 32 unforced errors compared to Kvitova’s 55.

The right-hander showed outstanding defensive hustle in an epic 27-shot rally that is an early contender for the best point of 2022.

Hon was way out of position behind the baseline but somehow managed to chase down a ball to keep the rally going, only for a Kvitova forehand to go wide a few shots later.

Fellow Australian tennis player Daria Gavrilova couldn’t believe her eyes, tweeting: “Yes!!!! this was epic! I was screaming !!!”.

After a tight first two sets, she ran away with the third set 6-2 to seal the best win of her career in Adelaide.

Tennis fans were full of praise for Hon’s performance against Kvitova, which will give Australian Open wildcard selectors food for thought ahead of the year’s first grand slam.

Tennis writer Ben Rothenberg tweeted: “Priscilla Hon gets the best win of her career, playing some highlight reel ball to beat Petra Kvitova in Adelaide.”

Journalist Monica Attard labelled Hon’s victory a “spectacular win”, adding: “She’s the real deal!”.

It was a sensational day all round in Adelaide for Australia’s women. Gavrilova, Ajla Tomljanovic and Maddison Inglis all won their opening matches on Monday.

Originally published as Australia’s Priscilla Hon pulls off massive upset over Petra Kvitova at Adelaide International