A former Australian Open runner-up has been booed off court after a fiery second-round win over hometown hero Destanee Aiava.

The local crowd was right behind the Aussie from the outset after the 24-year-old captured the nation’s hearts by opening up on her battles with mental health.

The former junior prodigy had waited almost a decade to notch a major match win on Monday to set up a date with American Danielle Collins.

The 10th seed was forced into a fight on Kia Arena before claiming a 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-2 victory in two hours and 25 minutes.

And a long-running battle with Australian fans continued after match point when she cupped her hand around her ear and blew sarcastic kisses towards the grandstand — drawing a flood of boos.

Collins was not frosty with Aiava at the net but she continued to enjoy giving it back to the fans, even kissing her hand and placing it on her backside.

Incredibly, organisers persisted with the customary on-court interview.

Collins barely got a word in before fans ramped up the boos all over again.

“Yeah, Destanee...” she began before stopping, and then taking the microphone from the presenter.

“I was thinking during the match I was like if I’m out here I may as well just take that big, fat pay cheque.

“Coco (Gauff) and I love, we love, a good five-star vacation. Part of our cheque is going towards that. So thank you, guys, thanks for coming out and supporting us tonight.”

At the end of the interview, she was again sarcastic towards the crowd.

“Thanks, everyone! Thank you guys, love ya,” she said.

Collins is no stranger to being the underdog in Melbourne after facing Ash Barty in the 2022 Australian Open final.

But Kia Arena is a different beast with fans only needing to buy the cheapest ground-pass ticket to get in.

Geeing up the crowd in Melbourne was also far from what Collins expected to be doing in 2025.

The 31-year-old was set to retire at the end of last year but opted to continue playing amid ongoing fertility issues due to endometriosis.

Collins will face countrywoman and 19th seed Madison Keys in the third round.

Aiava’s exit means there are now no more Australian women in the main draw.