Germany's Eva Lys makes history as she becomes the first women's singles lucky loser to reach the Australian Open in the Open Era.

Had it not been for Anna Kalinskaya's last-minute withdrawal at the Australian Open, Eva Lys would probably be on the road to her next tournament after losing in the third round of the qualifying event at Melbourne Park.

Germany's Eva Lys has become the first women's single lucky loser to reach the last 16 at the Australian Open in the Open era as she extended her fairy-tale run with another impressive victory on Saturday.

Eva Lys was on the physio table at the Australian Open on Tuesday when suddenly got summoned to the Kia Arena but the German lucky loser shrugged off her panic to advance to the second round with victory over qualifier Kimberley Birrell.

Eva Lys was planning her flight out of Melbourne. But in a twist of fate, Lys has now advanced further than any "lucky loser" before.

Had it not been for Anna Kalinskaya's last-minute withdrawal at the Australian Open, Eva Lys would probably be on the road to her next tournament after losing in the third round of the qualifying event at Melbourne Park.

The German had a flight booked home after failing to qualify for the Australian Open but the booking was for after the first day of the tournament.

Only six lucky losers have managed to reach the last 16 of the women’s singles event at a Grand Slam and Eva Lys has become the first player to achieve the feat at the Australian Open. Wimbledon now remains the only major where the phenomenon has not happened as the achievement has also taken place at Roland Garros (four times) and once at the US Open.