5 biggest upsets at the Australian Open 2016

The mens top seeds may have fared much better than the womens at this years Australian Open, which has seen some of their best players among them 2nd seed Simona Halep crash out, and without much of a fight.Halep, a resurgent Venus Williams, former No. 1s Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic are among the top-ranked names who are now no longer in contention, having lost to younger, less-experienced counterparts, some quite shockingly so.But although the Big Four are all still in the running, as are a number of the top 10s, perhaps the biggest shocker of the Open was the mens 5th seed crashing out in Round 1 for the first time in his career.Here we bring you the 5 biggest upsets from Week 1.

#5 Karolina Pliskova loses to Ekaterina Makarova

Fed Cup winner and 9th seed Pliskova fought Russian ace Ekaterina Makarova for a fourth round berth at the Australian Open.  Although the Czech has not yet progressed beyond the third round at a Grand Slam – also her finish this year, she has done well to stay in the top 10 rankings with a series of strong title wins.

Although she has been higher-ranked than her Russian rival, Pliskova had been beaten by her in straight sets on both previous occasions the players had met.

Makarova, meanwhile, has had her best Slam results in Melbourne, finishing at the semi-finals in 2015, losing in that round to compatriot Maria Sharapova.

The 21st seeded Russian’s key was simply in her more precise game against her Czech rival; with 35 winners to Pliskova’s mere 16 in return, Makarova outclassed her rival to take a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Makarova’s hopes in the tournament are still alive; she is now due to take on British No. 1  Johanna Konta, who has been in a purple patch herself.  

Watch all of the Australian Open action live on the SONY LIV app or log on to SonyLiv.com here for the action. To relive some of the best moments from the Open so far, watch highlights on SonyLiv.com here or the Sony LIV app.