Kateryna Bondarenko has opened the door for Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova at the Japan Open, the Ukraine eliminating Carla Suarez Navarro in the first round.
The 85th-ranked Bondarenko, who had also beaten the 12th-ranked Navarro in their only previous meeting at Bad Gastein in Austria four years ago, won 6-4 6-4.
With Gajdosova slated to play the top seed in round two action, it now gives her a realistic chance of progressing deeper into the draw with a match up against Bondarenko.
World No.81 Gajdosova had earlier enjoyed a routine 6-3 6-4 win over qualifier Alexandra Panova from Russia.
She joins fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round.
Zheng Saisai of China, who won the inaugural Dalian Open at home on Sunday for her first WTA title, also pulled off an upset as she beat fourth-seeded Alison Riske of the United States 0-6 6-4 6-1.
Fifth-seeded Johanna Larsson of Sweden also came back after losing the first set at love, beating Wang Qiang of China 0-6 6-3 6-3.
Irina Falconi of the United States rallied for a 5-7 7-5 6-3 win over Naomi Osaka of Japan.
Share
