World No.1 and defending Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber has been bundled out of the tournament by unseeded American Coco Vandeweghe.
Vandeweghe was irrepressible in Sunday night's late-finishing match on Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-2 6-3 in an hour and eight minutes.
Hitting 30 winners to seven, the 25-year-old completely exasperated Kerber, who was powerless and showed it.
The German threw her arms in the air in frustration several times as she watched balls pass her at the baseline without a hope of reaching them.
Kerber is the latest big name to exit the tournament before their seeding would suggest.
The top two men - Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic - and three of the top four women - Kerber, Aga Radwanska and Simona Halep - have departed in the Open's first week.
Serena Williams will now be a prohibitive favourite to claim a seventh crown at Melbourne Park, but on the basis of Vandeweghe's showing, she could also go all the way.
"It's really special to play a number one player in the world on any stage. I believe its my first number one win so i'll take that," she said. Last year I came here and I didn't even win a match and here I am now."
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