Tennis news - Women's round-up: Kiki Bertens crashes out as Ashleigh Barty progresses

Bertens, who overcame Alison Riske in the opening round, was one of nine players in contention of becoming the new world number one with a good run in Melbourne.

The 44th ranked Pavlyuchenkova shocked her opponent in Wuhan in September, and she was even more impressive on this occasion after fighting back from looking down and out in the first set.

The 27-year-old from Russia improved as the contest wore on as she drew level before breaking Bertens to lead 3-2 in the decider.

After serving out the match the 2017 quarter-finalist could be on another big run. The result means a second week-one exit in Bertens' first two majors since winning her Cincinnati title, while Pavlyuchenkova progresses to face Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the third round.

Meanwhile, Ashleigh Barty booked her place in a third consecutive third round at her home tournament with a comprehensive 6-2 6-3 win over Yafan Wang.

In front of a disappointing crowd on Rod Laver Arena, the 15th seed signalled her intentions with a fierce ace in her opening service game and she turned the screw with a series of forehand winners to take an early 3-1 lead.

After seeing out the first set, it was Wang who wrestled the initiative in the second after capitalising on a couple of short balls, but Barty restored parity with a backhand return to draw level at 3-3.

The 22-year-old Australian number one took a crucial second break at the third time of asking following an engrossing 32-shot rally before closing out the victory in clinical fashion.

“It’s been a great start to the season, it’s kind of flowed on from last year, we had a really good finish, it’s certainly nice to be playing here in Australia and playing well,” said Barty, who will face Maria Sakkari in the third round.

“I can come out here and play with freedom, play my game. When I’m playing well I’m really enjoying myself out on court. That is all I can ask of myself every match.”

31 - Petra Martic (CRO) bt Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) 6-4 7-5

Caroline Garcia (FRA) bt Zoe Hives (USA) 6-3 6-3

Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) bt 20-Anett Kontaveit (EST) 6-3 6-3

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt 9-Kiki Bertens (NED) 3-6 6-3 6-3

5 - Sloane Stephens (USA) bt Timea Babos (HUN) 6-3 6-1

15 - Ashleigh Barty (AUS) bt Yafan Wang (CHN) 6-2 6-3

Maria Sakkari (GRE) bt Astra Sharma (AUS) 6-1 6-4

Amanda Anisimova (USA) bt Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 6-0 6-2

Danielle Rose Collins (USA) bt Sachia Vickery (USA) 6-3 7-5

Kimberly Birrell (AUS) bt Donna Vekic (CRO) 6-4 4-6 6-1

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) bt Johanna Larsson (SWE) 6-1 6-3

Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) bt Katie Boulter (GBR) 6-3 6-4

Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2

8-Petra Kvitova (CZE) bt Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 6-1, 6-3

2-Angelique Kerber (GER) bt Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 6-2, 6-3

Maria Sharapova (RU) bt Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 6-2, 6-1