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WUHAN, China, Sept. 28-- Hotly-contested sets that needed tiebreakers -- along with still more major upsets for the top seeds -- marked the quarterfinals of the ongoing Dongfeng Motors Wuhan Open here on Thursday. Action on center court started with Australian Ashleigh Barty edging Czech 3rd seed Karolina Pliscova in a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) nail-biter. It is Barty's first career victory over a player in the top five. Both Barty and her Czech opponent put fantastic tennis on display, with Pliscova shooting 11 aces to 8 for the Australian. Barty displayed an impressive forehand with several beautiful drop shots leaving her opponent powerless to contest key points. Barty came within striking distance of sealing the deal in the third set, with a game score of 40-0 at 5-4, but Pliscova clawed her way back up to deuce with some truly spectacular shooting. She then grabbed another set point to level at 6-all and force a tiebreaker, during which it looked like it could go either way, until some stunning shots by Barty sealed the deal after a two and one-half hour slog. Pliscova credited her opponent for playing smart tennis. "She was playing just little bit better today ... I think she was just more aggressive. In the end of the sets, she was just going for her shots," the Czech said. Barty, who has had a breakout season on the tour this year, says she is feeling "more and more comfortable on the court. I'm playing with more freedom." | 
