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Sofia Kenin's early Australian Open exit at the hands of Kaia Kanepi has reaffirmed the Estonian's giant-killer status and thrown the women's draw wide open.

Sixth seed Karolina Pliskova has set up an Australian Open third-round clash with fellow Czech Karolina Muchova after beating Danielle Collins in straight sets.

In a match marred by dropped service games, Pliskova pushed past a difficult first set against Collins to prevail 7-5 6-2.

"I don't think it was amazing tennis today but just happy to be though," said the 28-year-old.

"... It was a little bit tricky in the beginning but just happy that I pulled through."

Pliskova and Collins traded service breaks throughout the first set, with the Czech making the crucial break in the 11th game.

The second set was more one-way traffic for 2016 US Open finalist Pliskova, who is still searching for her maiden grand slam title.

Muchova progressed to the third round with a comfortable 6-4 6-1 win over Mona Barthel and Pliskova expected an "open" contest against the 25th seed.

"We actually practised (for) two weeks in quarantine together so I know her and she knows me," Pliskova said.

Meanwhile 11th seed Belinda Bencic overcame a difficult test from Svetlana Kuznetsova to beat the veteran Russian 7-5 2-6 6-4.

Bencic scrapped out the opening set but was stunned by a resurgent Kuznetsova in the second.

The 35-year-old reeled off the opening four games to swing momentum back her way .

Bencic called a medical timeout after the second set to have treatment on her right foot but bounced out of the break and regained control in the third.

The Swiss blew three match points when serving at 5-3 but broke Kuznetsova the next game to seal the victory.

Both players went through hard hotel quarantine in their tournament build-up and Bencic said she still had plenty of improvement left.

"I've played so many matches against her and they always go to three sets so that's what I was expecting but of course it wasn't easy," Bencic said.

"... I wasn't feeling great (in the second set) - tennis-wise I'm still not where I want to be."

With her victory, Bencic teed up a clash with 18th seed Elise Mertens.

The Belgian overcame a first-set tiebreak to see off Zhu Lin 7-6 (10-8) 6-1.

American Shelby Rogers cruised past Serbia's Olga Danilovic 6-2 6-3 to seal her third-round spot.