BRISBANE — Andy Murray’s latest comeback from a persistent hip issue ended prematurely Wednesday when he was beaten 7-5, 6-2 by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the second round of the Brisbane International.

Murray cut short his season last September after suffering pain in his hip following surgery earlier in the year that ruled him out of three of the four Grand Slam tournaments.

Medvedev next faces Canada’s Milos Raonic who eased past Serbian qualifier Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 7-6(2).

The tournament lost another big name when Rafa Nadal pulled out due to a thigh strain, casting doubt on his participation in this month’s Australian Open.

Jeremy Chardy rallied to beat holder Nick Kyrgios 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 to leave Alex De Minaur as the sole Australian man remaining in the draw after the 19-year-old beat Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-2.

Grigor Dimitrov downed local favorite John Millman 6-3, 6-4 to set up a quarterfinal with Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

In the women’s competition, unseeded Anett Kontaveit upset double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 7-5, 7-6(1).

Former champion Karolina Pliskova outclassed Marie Bouzkova 7-5, 6-2 to set up a clash with Ajla Tomljanovic who ended the run of Briton Johanna Konta winning 6-2, 7-6(2).

Top seed and defending champion Elina Svitolina crashed out at the hands of Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4, 0-6, 6-3.

Croatian Donna Vekic continued her good form when she downed Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens in three sets 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 7-5.

Sharapova progresses

Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova qualified for the quarterfinals of the Shenzhen WTA after struggling against China’s great tennis hope Wang Xinyu, who was forced to retire from the match in pain.

The fifth-seed Russian was surprised early on by the power of her 17-year-old opponent, who took the final game of the first set 7-6 and broke in the second.

But Wang Xinyu had to retire hurt, apparently after feeling pain in her thigh, while she was leading 5-2 in the second set.

In the next round, Sharapova takes on top-seed Belorussian Aryna Sabalenka, who had an easy win over Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova on Wednesday 6-3, 6-3.

Djokovic too good

Novak Djokovic took just 55 minutes to claim his first win of 2019, brushing aside Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-2 in the Qatar Open first round Tuesday.

Austria’s Dominic Thiem, the No. 2 seed, was surprisingly beaten by the world No. 55, France’s Pierre Hugues-Herbert, 6-3, 7-5 in the last match on Tuesday.

And Djokovic’s Doha stroll on centre court followed a high quality match between veteran Stan Wawrinka and rising star Karen Khachanov.

The Swiss three-time Grand Slam winner won 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 to claim a notable scalp against the powerful Russian.

Another player returning from injury, Belgium’s David Goffin, the sixth seed, was beaten by Lithuanian qualifier Ricardis Berankis, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).

Karlovic through

Veteran Croatian Ivo Karlovic, two months from his 40th birthday, overcame a rising player less than half his age Tuesday to reach the second round of the ATP Maharashtra Open.

Using all his 2.11 meters (six feet 11 inches) height, Karlovic hit 13 aces as he disposed of 18-year-old Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-5 at the Indian tournament.

No. 5 seed Benoit Paire beat Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

The Frenchman will now play Czech Jiri Vesely who in turn beat French qualifier Antoine Hoang 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Ramkumar Ramanathan is the last remaining Indian hope after coming back to beat Marcel Granollers of Spain 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. — Agencies