Kalinskaya beats Paolini to reach maiden Grand Slam quarter-final

The nerveless world number 75, who had never made it past the first round on four previous occasions in Melbourne, surged home 6-4, 6-2 on John Cain Arena.

She will face either Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen or unseeded Frenchwoman Oceane Dodin next in her unexpected bid to reach the semi-finals.

"It feels amazing to pass so many rounds at a Grand Slam. It's something special for me," said Kalinskaya, who struggled with leg injuries last year that kept her off the tour for nearly four months.

"I was just fighting and staying positive."

Neither Kalinskaya nor Paolini had scored a main-draw win in Melbourne before this year, or gone beyond the second round at any Grand Slam.

"I think I don't realise it yet," she said of the career milestone. "I'm staying calm and positive. Just not thinking about what's going on. Just play and enjoy.

"But it's definitely a boost of confidence for the future."