Kerber knocked out at Brisbane international, top 5 all lose as WTA 2017 begins

Simona Halep

Like Radwanska, Halep was also in the top field at the Shenzhen Open, where she was seeded second. Up against Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, Halep floundered in three sets at a tournament she has won in the past – most recently in 2015.

There were a total of 15 breaks in that match, four of which came in the final set.

20-year-old Siniakova will face Nina Stojanovic of Serbia for a semi-final spot here, while Shenzhen is Halep’s only tournament prior to the Australian Open.

Katerina Siniakova bt Simona Halep 6-3, 4-6, 7-5