DAY 2 of the Brisbane International delivered the goods once again, providing some surprise losses and high intensity matches. With 30 degree weather to contend with, the players fought it out in hot and humid conditions with majority of matches lasting three sets showcasing their skill, durability and stamina.

Maria Sharapova was knocked out of contention falling to American Jennifer Brady in an enthralling three sets, 6-3 1-6 6-7. Sharapova claimed the early ascendancy winning the first set 6-3 but faded away in the second allowing Brady to gain momentum and subsequently roll the former world number one in the tiebreaker. Naomi Osaka continued her winning ways delivering a whopping 16 aces and proving too good against Maria Sakkari, despite the match going three sets. Sakkari showed she has plenty of potential, holding her own in the second set and winning the tiebreaker but could not replicate her feats in the third, going down 2-6 7-6 3-6.

World number nine Kiki Bertens impressed in her performance against Ukrainian, Dayana Yastremska winning 6-4 1-6 6-3. Despite Yastremska having moments of magic – particularly in the second – she could not compete with Bertens who put the afterburners on in the third. After dropping the first set of the match, Petra Kvitova put the foot down against Russian opponent Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who simply had no answers for Kvitova’s lift in intensity. Kvitova covered the court with ease and proved she was not afraid to take the game on, winning 68 per cent of points from her first serve.

It was easy pickings for American, Madison Keys who delivered four aces and won in two sets against Russian, Marie Bouzkova. The only other two setter for the day was between Anett Kontaveit and Hsieh Su-wei which saw Kontaveit get the chocolates after winning 6-4 6-1. Sloane Stephens fell victim to Ludmilla Samonova who reigned supreme in yet another intense battle, 4-6 6-2 3-6, while Yulia Putintseva rounded out the winners for Day 2 of action.