Konta goes on but it's curtains for Kerber

United States' Venus Williams makes a forehand return to Germany's Mona Barthel during their fourth round match at the Australian Open. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Kerber was the second  No 1 seed to crash out on a day of shocks in Melbourne after Andy Murray had earlier been beaten in the men’s tournament by German Mischa Zverev.

Vandeweghe was a worthy winner too on Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-2 6-3 in just 68 minutes to book a quarter-final showdown with Garbine Muguruza.

Ranked 35th in the world, the American lost in the first round here 12 months ago, just as Kerber was beginning her path to become champion.

The world No 1, however, has endured a difficult start to 2017 and her fragile confidence was ruthlessly exposed here by a powerful display of baseline hitting.

“It was really special,” said Vandeweghe. “Beating the world No 1 on any stage and any place is great... I’ll take this one.

“I wasn’t feeling confident, I guess I faked it. I was nervous, but I had a game plan to execute and I knew that as along as I keep picking my spots, I had a chance.”

Johanna Konta cruised into the Australian Open fourth round on Saturday with a scintillating 6-3 6-1 victory over Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.

The British No 1 will now face Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova in the last 16 and is yet to drop a set in the tournament so far. She is widely considered to be a genuine contender for the title. Konta said: “I was very happy with the way I was able to assert myself from the very beginning and maintain my level to the very end.”