Three seeded players lost in the second round of the Brisbane International on Wednesday, including top seed and reigning champion Elina Svitolina, who was defeated by Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4 0-6 6-3, the Belarusian player she dominated in last year’s final.
Fourth seed Petra Kvitova crashed out to Estonian Anett Kontaveit 7-5 7-6(1), who hopes to follow in the footsteps of her countrywoman Kaia Kanepi, the 2012 Brisbane champion. Another surprise of the day was the defeat of sixth seed Kiki Bertens at the hands of world No.34 Donna Vekic, 7-6(5) 1-6 7-5.