British number two Heather Watson was knocked out in the semi-final of the Hobart International, her final warm-up tournament before the Australian Open.

The 27-year-old lost 6-3 4-6 6-4 to Russian Elena Rybakina, who will play China’s Zhang Shuai in the final.

Watson will play Czech world number 62 Kristyna Pliskova in the Australian Open first round next week.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski lost in the semi-final of the Adelaide International.

The pair lost 5-7 6-3 15-13 to fourth seeds Filip Polasek and Ivan Dodig in a match that lasted one hour 49 minutes.

Britain’s Joe Salisbury and American partner Rajeec Ram lost 6-3 6-4 to Manuel Gonzalez and Frabrice Martin in the other semi-final.

The Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Monday. The men’s doubles draw will take place during the first week.

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