Qualifier Bartunkova stuns Bencic in Australian Open upset

Nineteen-year-old Czech qualifier Nikola Bartunkova produced the first Top 10 upset of the Australian Open  ending No. 10 seed Belinda Bencic’s 12-match winning streak with a 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 victory.

Playing in her first Grand Slam main draw, Bartunkova produced a dazzling display of tennis inspired by Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz.

This time last year, Bartunkova was ranked No. 493, but today she played like a veteran hitting 40 winners, compared to Bencic’s 25..

It was a major setback for current Olympic Champion Bencic, who arrived in Melbourne having posted  a 5-0  record, including United Cup wins over Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini.

Bartunkova won eight of the last nine points to score her second career Top 50 victory in two hours, 12-minutes.

“It’s a dream come true, because it was an unbelievable match from me,” Bartunkova said afterwards.

The Czech teenager will  next play  21st-seeded Elise Mertens, a former AO doubles champion, for a place in the fourth round.

Fellow Czech teenager Tereza Valentova, 18, also won and will take on Elena Rybakina in the third round.

Main photo:- Nikola Bartunkova celebrates shock win – by ISF Ltd