Kvitova becomes latest star to exit Wuhan early

Wuhan (China): Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia fought back from a set down to defeat the Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the third round of the Wuhan Open on Wednesday.

Pavlyuchenkova, the world number 39, ended fifth-seed Kvitova's hopes of claiming a third title at Wuhan in five years, reports Efe news.

The Czech two-time Wimbledon champion is the latest top-10 player to bow out of Wuhan at the tournament's early stages, following Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens, Elina Svitolina, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Garcia.

Pavlyuchenkova bested Kvitova in all categories, particularly on serve; Kvitova was guilty of 10 double faults, and managed just 57 percent on first serve.

Pavlyuchenkova advances to the quarter-finals, where she will face Australia's Ashleigh Barty, who earlier on Wednesday eliminated reigning Wuhan champion Caroline Garcia of France.

Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova defeated No. 13 seed Daria Kasatkina of Russia 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Wednesday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open. Cibulkova continued the form which saw her eliminate world number one Simona Halep in round 2, seeing off the Wimbledon and Roland Garros quarter-finalist in one hour and 43 minutes, reports Efe news.