Japan Open: Fifth seed Avanesyan upset by Saito in second round

Japanese wildcard Sara Saito advanced to the quarter-finals of the Osaka Open by defeating Armenian Elina Avanesyan, the No 5 seed, 7-6 (2), 6-4 at the Utsubo Tennis Center on Thursday.

Saito, ranked No 179, will face Australian qualifier Kimberly Birrell next. This is the 18-year-old’s first appearance in the main draw of a WTA Tour event.

The 18-year-old Japanese won against Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (6-3, 6-2) in the previous round of the tournament.

Earlier in the week, Avanesyan, ranked No 48, beat American Ashlyn Krueger (7-6 (1), 6-3).

Osaka WTA 250, other second-round results (Utsubo Tennis Center, hard, USD 267,080):

• Kimberly Birrell beat Elise Mertens (3): 3-6, 7-5, 4-1 ret.
• Diane Parry (7) beat Greet Minnen: 6-4, 6-2
• Ana Bogdan (Q) beat Marie Bouzkova (4): 6-0, 7-6 (5)
• Aoi Ito (Q) beat Elisabetta Cocciaretto (8): 6-4, 6-3
• Clara Tauson beat Harriet Dart: 6-3, 6-2
• Suzan Lamens (Q) beat Lucia Bronzetti: 6-3, 6-4
• Eva Lys (LL) beat McCartney Kessler: 7-6 (7), 3-6, 7-5

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