The Estonian, who's reached No.3 in the world without ever having got past the quarter-finals of a grand slam, was hammered 6-4 6-0 on Tuesday by the power-hitting German Jule Niemeier, who was making her debut at the Championships.

The Estonian Kontaveit couldn't cope with Niemeier's booming groundstrokes and looked increasingly dispirited as she succumbed to the little-known 22-year-old in just 58 one-sided minutes.

Niemeier, who's climbed back up the rankings after injury problems, has reached a career-high No.97 in the world and took advantage of a player looking quite out of her comfort zone in her first match on grass this year.

Kontaveit, who enjoyed a fine end to 2021 but has struggled this year in comparison, netted on match point with her 24th unforced error to become the highest-seed to tumble so far in this year's edition.

Australian Associated Press