Naomi Osaka’s appearance in her first tournament since having a baby in July ended Wednesday in the second round of the Brisbane International in Australia.
Czech Karolina Pliskova defeated Japan’s Osaka 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in a matchup of former world No. 1 players. Osaka won her opener in straight sets against Tamara Korpatsch.
Four of the top seeds cruised into the third round, with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, No. 3 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and No. 5 Daria Kasatkina of Russia all advancing in straight sets.
Fourth-seeded Liudmila Samsonova lost to 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in an all-Russian contest.
ASB Classic
Diane Parry of France moved into the quarterfinals with a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 upset of third-seeded Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in Auckland, New Zealand.
Awaiting her in the next round is unseeded Xiyu Wang, who defeated Chinese compatriot Xinyu Wang, the sixth seed, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2).
Also advancing were fourth-seeded American Emma Navarro and fifth-seeded Czech Marie Bouzkova.
–Field Level Media