Ekaterina Alexandrova’s defeat means no female Russian representatives remain in the singles draw in Melbourne
Russia is without a representative in the women’s singles draw at the Australian Open after 19th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova suffered a shock third-round defeat to Polish rival Magda Linette on Saturday.
Alexandrova lost the contest in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena, 6-3 6-4, capping a disappointing tournament for Russia’s women’s stars. None have made it into the second week of action at Melbourne Park despite Russia starting with 14 women in the main singles draw – including four of the top 20 seeds.
The highest-ranked Russian female contender, Daria Kasatkina, crashed out in the opening round as the number eight seed was beaten by compatriot Varvara Gracheva. The unseeded Gracheva progressed to the third round before her hopes were ended by Czech rival Karolina Pliskova.
Elsewhere, there were first-round losses for Anna Kalinskaya, Kamilla Rakhimova, Polina Kudermetova, Anna Blinkova, Evgeniya Rodina, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Oksana Selekhmeteva, and Liudmila Samsonova – the latter of whom was seeded 18th.
Russian teenager Diana Shnaider bowed out in the second round following a battle with Greek sixth seed Maria Sakkari, while Russian ninth seed Veronika Kudermetova exited at the same stage in a shock defeat to American qualifier Katie Volynets.
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The disappointing performances this year mean that Russia’s wait continues for a first female Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova at the French Open in 2014. Sharapova was also the last Russian females singles champion in Melbourne, winning the title in 2008.