No. 6 Dominika Cibulkova upset by Ekaterina Makarova at Australian Open

MELBOURNE - Sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova, an Australian Open finalist in 2014, was upset by 34th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 6-2, 6-7 (3) 6-3 in a third round match at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

Cibulkova concluded the 2016 season in grand fashion when she won the biggest title of her career by taking the year-end WTA Finals trophy by beating world No. 1 Angelique Kerber in the final. She was one of two players to win the WTA Finals on their debut - Petra Kvitova was the first in 2011.

Cibulkova is the fourth top 10 seeds in the women’s game to depart this Australian Open. Also gone from the draw is third seed Agnieszka Radwanska, fourth seed Simona Halep and 10th seed Carla Suarez Navarro.

Makarova’s best Australian Open result was reaching the 2015 semifinal. She is one of three players to never hold the No. 1 ranking and to have posted a Grand Slam win over both Williams sisters. She upset Serena Williams at the 2013 Australian Open and Venus Williams at the 2014 Australian Open.

Makarova, who was also a semifinalist at the 2014 U.S. Open has won two Grand Slam doubles titles at the 2013 French Open and and 2014 U.S.  Open with Elena Vesnina.