- Four-time major winner loses 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to Pliskova
- Raducanu has direct entry into main draw at Australian Open
Naomi Osaka’s first tournament at the elite level since becoming a mother has ended in a second-round loss to three-time champion Karolina Pliskova in the Brisbane International.
The four-time major winner won her return match on Monday in straight sets against Tamara Korpatsch. A second-round encounter featuring two former No 1-ranked players was a step up in tempo and a better indication of how Osaka’s preparations are going for the Australian Open starting later this month in Melbourne. Osaka won the first set but Pliskova recovered and fired 16 aces and hit 50 winners in a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 win.