Barty survives scare; Pliskova advances

Tokyo - Pliskova beat American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-3 to reach the last 16

Australia's Ash Barty kept alive her chances of preserving her world number one status at the end of the week after she fought back to beat France's Caroline Garcia 4-6 6-4 6-1 in the second round of the Wuhan Open on Tuesday.
Barty and Pliskova are in a race to end the week on top of the WTA rankings. As a result of Barty's win on Tuesday, Czech Pliskova needs to reach the semifinals and advance one round further than the Australian if she is to return to the top of the rankings for the first time since 2017.
Barty will face last week's Guangzhou Open winner Sofia Kenin, who beat Elise Mertens 4-6 6-4 7-6(5).
Pliskova beat American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-3 to reach the last 16. 
Third seed Elina Svitolina beat Garbine Muguruza 7-5 6-2 to advance while fourth seed and Wimbledon champion Simona Halep dispatched Barbora Strycova with a 6-3 6-2 victory.