Top seed Karolina Pliskova, defending champ Bianca Andreescu and Coco Gauff all crash out

Shahida Jacobs
Karolina Pliskova disappointed

A trio of big names exited the BNP Paribas Open in the third round as top seed Karolina Pliskova, defending champion Bianca Andreescu and teenager Coco Gauff all suffered defeat.

Wimbledon runner-up Pliskova’s defeat was the biggest surprise as the former world No 1 was stunned by lucky loser Beatriz Haddad Maia, going down 6-3, 7-5 as the world No 115 from Brazil claimed the biggest win of her career.

Next up for Haddad Maia is Anett Kontaveit after the 18th seed from Estonia sent Andreescu packing with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory.

After both players broke twice in the opening set, Kontaveit edged the tie-breaker before three breaks to two gave her the win.

“I didn’t play my best and I didn’t feel my best,” Andreescu said after the match.

“The conditions were tough with the wind. I don’t think she played her best tennis either but she was the better player today.”

Teenager Gauff, meanwhile, went down against Paula Badosa as the 27th seed from Spain broke twice in each set to claim an impressive 6-2, 6-2 victory.

“I know the conditions today were tough,” Badosa said. “Sometimes when you don’t feel you have good feelings from the beginning, sometimes it’s tough. I think that’s what happened to her.

“I played quite well. I stayed very focused and solid, and I think that was the key of the match.”

Ons Jabeur, meanwhile, defeated 22nd seed Danielle Collins 6-1, 6-3 while 2019 finalist Angelique Kerber was a 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 winner over Daria Kasatkina.

“With the fatigue mentally and physically at the end of the season, I’m trying to really play my best tennis,” Jabeur said. “I never played this long. It’s a new experience for me. But I’m happy that it’s motivation for end of the year. I’m not very far. I honestly want to win as much as I can to qualify [for the WTA Finals].”

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