ADELAIDE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 2 player, was knocked out in the first round of an Australian Open warm-up competition by a far lower-ranked opponent.
Sabalenka was defeated 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 by Rebecca Peterson of Sweden, who was rated No. 395 going into the match at the Adelaide International.
Sabalenka was defeated 7-6 (6), 6-1 by Kaja Juvan, who is rated 100th, in the first round of the Adelaide International competition last week.
While top-ranked Ash Barty is undefeated this year after winning the singles and doubles crowns at the first of two Adelaide Internationals in a row, Sabalenka hasn't won in over two months. After a fantastic week in the South Australian state capital, Barty will not be performing in Adelaide.
Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Anna Schmiedlova 6-2, 6-3 in the opening round of the Sydney Tennis Classic.
After defeating Jelena Ostapenko 7-6 (1) 6-1, Tomljanovic will face fifth-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain.
Tomljanovic, 28, has never been past the second round of the Australian Open, although he did reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon last year, which was a career high.
Andy Murray in Adelaide and U.S. Open winner Emma Raducanu in Sydney are two high-profile British players who will play their first-round matches later Tuesday.