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Naomi Broady stuns former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic in Auckland

Naomi Broady in action against Ana Ivanovic
Image: Naomi Broady in action against Ana Ivanovic

British No 3 Naomi Broady pulled off the biggest victory of her career by stunning world No 16 Ana Ivanovic 7-5 6-4 at the Auckland Open.

The 25-year-old beat the qualifying top seed Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3 1-6 7-6 (8-6) to earn her place in the main draw.

And the world No 122 stunned the former world No 1 - and the second seed in Auckland - with a superb performance to advance to the second round.

It was Broady's first victory over a top 20 player.

Defending champion and top seed Venus Williams suffered a shock 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-2 defeat to Russian teenager Daria Kasatkina in the first round.

Tournament director Karl Budge comforts Venus Williams
Image: Tournament director Karl Budge comforts Venus Williams

Kasatkina, 18, ranked No 75 and the third-youngest player inside the top 100, was handed a wildcard in recognition of her undoubted potential.

And she proved the Kiwi organisers right with a stunning win over the world No 7, the American helping her out with an astonishing 73 unforced errors.

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After losing the long first set, Kasatkina matched Williams from the baseline and curbed her own errors to take the second.

Daria Kasatkina celebrates her shock victory
Image: Daria Kasatkina celebrates her shock victory

She then fought back from 3-1 down to win the decider, gaining the vital service break in the seventh game and breaking again in the ninth.

"I couldn't ask for a better start to the year," Kasatkina said. "It took all my power."