Kerber suffers another early loss in China

Shanghai - Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber added to her dismal run as she lost in three sets to lower-ranked Alison Riske at the Zhengzhou Open in China on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old German suffered premature exits at the US Open, French Open and Wimbledon in recent months, and split with her coach.

The former world number one is stuck in a deep rut and racked up another early loss at the hands of America's world number 34.

In an evening epic, Riske outlasted Kerber, ranked 15th, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) to move into the second round in Zhengzhou.