Ostapenko stuns world No 2 Pliskova at China Open

Beijing - The 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko dumped world number two Karolina Pliskova out in the first round of the China Open on Saturday despite racking up 25 double faults.

The 22-year-old Latvian emerged after nearly two-and-a-half gruelling hours in Beijing, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.

Ostapenko has suffered a dramatic loss of form since her French Open heroics and now languishes 74th in the world.

Both players struggled badly on their serves, in a wildly unpredictable match.

The Czech Pliskova, 27, had been chasing a fifth title this year.

Ostapenko faces Katerina Siniakova, also of the Czech Republic, in the next round in the Chinese capital.

Results:

Women

1st round

Zheng Saisai (CHN) bt Monica Puig (PUR) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5)

Belinda Bencic (SUI x9) bt Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) 7-5, 6-2

Polona Hercog (SLO) bt Julia Goerges (GER) 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4

Kiki Bertens (NED x8) bt Donna Vekic (CRO) 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3)

Katerina Siniakova (CZE) bt Wang Xiyu (CHN) 6-2, 6-2

Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) bt Karolina Pliskova (CZE x2) 7-5, 3-6, 7-5