THREE Australians took the court in the official first day of the Brisbane International on Monday after two days of qualifiers. Only two seeded players competed in the round though both went down to their respective opponents.

The highlight of Day 3 saw Sam Stosur manage a shock win over Angelique Kerber in a tough battle. It was Stosur’s first win against the former world number one in almost five years, with the intense contest tight throughout with neither player willing to give any ground, 7-6 7-6. The Australian veteren currently ranks at 98 in the world as opposed to Kerber at 18. Fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic joins Stosur in the next round although it is bittersweet after defeating teammate, Priscilla Hon. The two Aussies proved plenty is yet to come, with Hon showing some real determination after dropping the first set 6-2, taking the match to three sets after taking control in the second. Tomljanovic was too good however, collecting the 6-2 4-6 6-4 victory.

Ukrainian fourth seed, Elina Svitolina and British seventh seed, Johanna Konta both lost to lower ranked opposition, with American Danielle Collins and Czech Barbora Strycova both proceeding into the next round after solid performances. Collins starred against Svitolina, whipping out a fantastic 1-6 1-6 victory in under an hour, with Svitolina unable to compete with Collins’ drive and poise across the court. Konta challenged Strycova in the second set after only managing two games in the first, but Strycova was clinical despite a challenging second set, collecting a solid victory 2-6 6-3 3-6.

In other matches, Americans Sofia Kenin and Alison Riske were impressive against their respective foes and will join Collins in the next round after straight sets wins apiece.