WUHAN, China, Sept. 25 -- It was a day of jaw-dropping upsets and strong performances from local talent here at the 2017 Wuhan Open, with several top-seeded players eliminated in straight-set losses.

The first shocker of the day came as 12th-seeded Madison Keys of the United States was knocked out by qualifier Varvara Lepchenko, 6-2, 7-6 (4).

Keys was broken twice in the first set as she let her opponent storm to a 4-0 lead before she finally started showing signs of life.

Things began to look a bit better for Keys in the second set, as she made her tenacious opponent work a great deal more. Action on the court ground to a halt in the second set as Keys' complained of wrist problems, and although her signature returning work indeed showed flashes of brilliance, it quickly became apparent that the overall momentum would remain on Lepchenko's side.

Lepchenko says that she was expecting a tougher fight after she took the first set with relative ease.

"Well the first set, I gained the advantage very fast, and I knew the second set would be a little more difficult as usual when the players try to come back after losing the first set and they will try to gain the advantage in the second set. So I knew that and I prepared in my mind to keep on fighting in the second set," Lepchenko told Xinhua in a post-match interview.

Another shocker came as US open champion Sloane Stephens was stunned by local player Wang Qiang in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

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