Madrid, Spain, 8 May 2018 | Tennis Australia

Australia’s Ash Barty went out of the Madrid Open in the second round despite a spirited effort against world No.2 Caroline Wozniacki.

Barty led 4-2 in the final set before the Dane fought back to win 6-2 4-6 6-4 on the clay at Caja Magica.

Fellow Aussie Sam Stosur was beaten 6-1 6-3 by ninth seed and US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Barty recovered from a set and a break down to move within sight of victory against Wozniacki, but could not close out the win.

🚨 Quality point alert! 🚨

@ashbar96 #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/P1AZXMqlJT

— wta (@WTA) May 7, 2018

A final tally of 38 winners to 54 unforced errors reflected Barty’s desire to play aggressively against the Australian Open champion.

“In the second set, the only negative I can say I think I didn’t play my best game when I was up 4-3 and serving,” Wozniacki told wtatour.com.

“I made a double-fault. She also played a really good game, so I wish I could have just gotten it right then and there.

“I think there’s a lot of positives to take with me. I thought she played really well. I think I played well, served well. I moved pretty well.

“I have to say I think there’s a lot of big things coming from her. I think we will see a lot of her in the future, as well.”

Stosur struggled to make an impression against Stephens, who dominated behind an impressive first-serve rate of 88%.

The American reeled off six straight games to take the first set and eased to victory after Stosur had held firm in the early stages of the second.

“I think I played really well and super consistent, I competed very well so I’m pleased with that,” said Stephens.