The Estonian took a 4:1 lead in the opening set, but allowed the German to equalize the set, after which Kanepi was able to win two consecutive games to take the first set 6:4.

Kanepi, the former world 15-rank, and Kerber, the former world top-rank, got off to a competitive second set and were equal at 3:3, after which the Estonian went on a run to finish the match with a 6:3 set victory.

Kanepi served up four aces to Kerber's zero and committed one double fault, the German had three. The Estonian also converted four of nine break points and won on 60 percent of her second serves to Kerber's 28 percent.

"I felt pretty good on the court and it was quite comfortable. I felt I played well and had good feeling. Everything also worked tactically," Kanepi told reporters after the match, but she did not want to specify the details of her gameplan.

She said she heard some Estonian fans in the stands and that might have been what caused her to have such a great win.

Estonian euphoria @KanepiKaia knocks out 2016 champion Angelique Kerber to move on to the second round at #AO2022.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/LnLr98SB7e

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2022

The 36-year old Kanepi will face 23-year old Czech player Marie Bouzkova in the second round of the Australian Open. The players met on two occasions in 2020, both winning one match.

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