UPDATE 5pm: Russian’s Alla Kudryavtseva is making the most of her last-minute entry into the Brisbane International main draw, advancing to the quarterfinals after a determined three-set victory over world No.23 Karolina Pliskova.
A lucky loser entrant after the withdrawal of Spanish eighth seed Garbine Murgurza, the 100-ranked Kudryavtseva toppled Pliskova 4-6 6-3 6-3 but it wasn’t without some jitters late in the match.
Seventh-seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro also progressed, digging deep to overcome Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in three sets, 5-7 6-3 6-4.
Perhaps feeling the effects of a mammoth three-hour-plus second round victory over former world No.1 Victoria Azarekna, Pliskova started strongly in her match against Kudryavtseva, but faded and wasn’t at her clean-striking best in the deciding third set with Kudryavtseva racing to a 5-love lead.
The 27-year-old didn’t capitalise on two opportunities to serve out the match but broke in the ninth game to register a maiden win against her Czech opponent after two three-set losses against her on hardcourt last year.
Kudryavtseva will meet Varvara Lepchenko, who upset local home Sam Stosur in the opening round, in the quarterfinals.