Australian Casey Dellacqua has fought back from a set down in front of a thrilled home crowd to stun 2006 Australian Open Champion Amelie Mauresmo.
Dellacqua started strongly but fell away to concede the first set 6-3 before producing the finest tennis of her career to reach the fourth round.
In the second set Dellacqua took the early initiative, breaking Mauresmo to lead 2-0 before a further three breaks of serve – two from Mauresmo and one from Dellacqua – leveled the scores at 3-3.
Mauresmo used her slice well, inviting the Aussie to go for her shots, but Dellacqua gradually worked her way into the match and cut out the unforced errors that cost her in the first set.
The Frenchwoman had the yips on serve allowing Dellacqua to take the second set 6-4.
At this stage the tide began to turn and it was the Aussie’s power game that forced Mauresmo into errors she would otherwise not make.
Dellacqua’s backhand in particular was on fire. She put immense pressure on Mauresmo and it was this shot that set up the win for her.
In the deciding set Dellacqua twice came back from 15-40 on serve to hold, in stark contrast it was Mauresmo who double faulted her way into trouble.
It was clear her wayward serve was getting to her mentally and she double faulted twice in the final game to hand Dellacqua the match.
The West Australian will next face No.3 seed Jelena Jankovic, who took three sets to see off No.30 seed Virginie Razzano on Friday.
Jankovic’s form has not lived up to her seeding so far in the tournament meaning a win for the rampaging Dellacqua is not out of the question.
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