“Sign the camera? I’ve never done that before,” Laura Siegemund told the crew as she signed autographs at Hisense Arena.
Then again, it was that kind of day for the German world No.97. Moments earlier she had claimed just the second Grand Slam match win of her career, ousting former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic 3-6 7-6(5) 6-4 on Thursday to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
In all manner of ways, it was the biggest win of her career.
“I really enjoy being on such a big court,” the 27-year-old, playing in just her third main draw at a major, told the crowd. “I haven’t played that many matches on a big arena like this.”
Then again, it was that kind of day for the German world No.97. Moments earlier she had claimed just the second Grand Slam match win of her career, ousting former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic 3-6 7-6(5) 6-4 on Thursday to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
In all manner of ways, it was the biggest win of her career.
“I really enjoy being on such a big court,” the 27-year-old, playing in just her third main draw at a major, told the crowd. “I haven’t played that many matches on a big arena like this.”
For the most part, Siegemund has played her tennis on the fringes of the WTA Tour. With three doubles titles to her name, she reached a career-high No.44 in the rankings last year, while her singles success has largely come on the ITF circuit, where she has lifted 11 titles. The year began with failed bids to qualify in Auckland and Sydney – yet here she is, signing camera lenses and giant tennis balls on one of the biggest courts in the sport.
The German channelled her inner Verdasco against Jankovic, whose 50th Grand Slam appearance ends in the second round. While the former world No.1 played cagey tennis, hitting just 17 winners and making just 13 unforced errors, Siegemund embraced the moment, firing 50 winners and 49 unforced errors.
It was one of those errors that handed Jankovic a break in the opening game, a wayward forehand from which the Serbian never looked back as she sealed the set with a second break in 34 minutes. But Siegemund hunkered down in the second set, stealing it in the tiebreak and riding the momentum to her first break of the match to lead 2-0 in the third.
Nerves might have kicked in as Siegemund closed on victory, but Jankovic failed to apply the pressure, slipping 0-40 down when serving to stay in the match before closing with a double fault.
Siegemund will play the winner of Thursday’s clash between German compatriot Annika Beck and 11th-seeded Swiss Timea Bacsinszky in the third round.
