Caroline Wozniacki produced a stunning fightback from 5-1 down in the third set to defeat Croatia’s Jana Fett 3-6 6-2 7-5.
The second seed looked to be making an early exit from the Australian Open after her 21-year-old opponent had two opportunities to serve out the match in the third set.
The Dane rallied against her inexperienced opponent though, breaking her serve three times in quick succession to survive the upset.
Jana Fett, competing in her first Grand Slam main draw, will rue the missed opportunities as nerves took hold of her in the closing stages.
Caroline Wozniacki survives second round battle with Jana Fett
Few gave Jana Fett much chance in this second round encounter but the Croatian came flying out of the blocks, breaking the Dane in the first game of the match.
The experienced Wozniacki hit back immediately, breaking Fett straight away. The World No.119 was not fazed by the retaliation though, breaking the Wozniacki serve for the second time to lead 2-1.
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In sweltering conditions, Fett continued to play bold, positive tennis, painting the lines as she hit 13 winners in the opening set. She sealed that set with a third break of serve, converting on three of her four break point opportunities.
The World No.2 showed her class in the second set, fighting back against the Croatian to break in the third game. While looking some way from her best, Wozniacki broke her opponent twice more to seal the second set 6-2.
Caroline Wozniacki fights back from 5-1 down in deciding set
After dominating the second set, Wozniacki had the momentum heading into the final set. But it was the 21-year-old who came out firing once again. She created four break point chances in Wozniacki’s opening service game but could not convert any.
The Dane would not be so lucky in her next service game, with Fett breaking at the second opportunity. Wilting in the Melbourne sunshine, frustration boiled over as Wozniacki slammed her racket to the floor.
Jana Fett did not waste time in capitalizing on Wozniacki’s struggles, breaking again before arriving at two match points. Suddenly though, the enormity of the situation weighed heavily on her shoulders, with Fett making two unforced errors and gifting Wozniacki the break of serve.
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Nerves gripped Jana Fett once again in her next service game as the Dane kept a cool head. A string of errors allowed Wozniacki to break back for the second time. Wozniacki held her own serve to draw level at 5-5.
In the eleventh game of the set, the Dane took advantage of the faltering Fett, breaking once again to lead 6-5. She sealed the match at the first attempt, winning her sixth game in a row to win 7-5 and survive a big scare.
The fightback victory should provide a huge confidence boost for the Dane moving forward as she continues to search for her first career Grand Slam. Wozniacki certainly proved her fitness in the heat and has demonstrated she has the mental strength to come back from any situation during the tournament.
Caroline Wozniacki will now face either Nicole Gibbs or Kiki Bertens in the third round of the Australian Open on Friday.
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