Sabalenka run over, as Brits get off to solid start

Estonian Kaia Kanepi ended Aryna Sabalenka’s 15-match winning run at the Gippsland Trophy in Melbourne today, with a three-set 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 triumph.

“When I play well and aggressive, I think it’s tough for anybody to beat me,” Kanepi said in a post-match interview.

Tne 35-year-old Kanepi converted six of her seven break points en route to her win over on Margaret Court Arena.

Brits Katie Boulter and Johanna Konta also won second-round matches.

Boulter came from behind to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Gauff served for the match at 5-4 in the second before Boulter began the fightback.

She hit 13 of the next 14 points, to level the match and took a 4-2 lead in the third with a superb forehand winner to cruise home.

No.5 seed Konta beat American Bernarda Pera 6-2, 6-3, to move into the round of 16.

Konta had little trouble in a game tent lasted 81 minutes.

No.7 seed Elise Mertens of Belgium also won, beating Japan’s Mayo Hibi, 6-2, 6-2 in 75 minutes.