Schnyder, Chakvetadze upset in first round
ZURICH, Switzerland -- Sixth-seeded Patty Schnyder and seventh-seeded Anna Chakvetadze lost in the first round Tuesday at the Zurich Open.
Schnyder, who won in Bali last month, was upset by Czech teen Petra Kvitova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Chakvetadze was beaten by Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, her fifth loss in six matches since reaching the final in New Haven, Conn., in August.
Fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland defeated Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina 6-4, 6-1.
Kvitova, an 18-year-old Czech, scored a big upset at Memphis, Tenn., in February. Then ranked 143rd, she became the lowest-ranked opponent to beat Venus Williams.
In ousting Schynder, Kvitova defeated a top-20 player for the third time this year. In the third set, the Swiss star led by 3-0 and two breaks.
"In the third set I was very bad," Kvitova said. "But I hit winner, winner, winner and I was in the match again."
Kvitova rallied to trail 4-3 and then conceded only two more points, earning the victory when Schnyder netted a drive volley.
"It was a strange match," Schnyder said. "Her game was in and out and I was not ready for the rallies when they came."
Niculescu, with her left thigh heavily strapped, won 10 of the last 13 games to oust Chakvetadze.
"I can honestly say this is my best career win," Niculescu said. "I don't know how I finished because I was very tired. I think I had some cramps."
Niculescu called for a trainer while leading 2-1 in the second set. The delay appeared to affect Chakvetadze's timing -- she was broken in her next two service games and trailed 5-1.
In the third set, Chakvetadze double-faulted to hand Niculescu a 3-2 lead and then netted a backhand to lose serve again and trail 5-2.
Also, 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France defeated Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-4, 6-0 to set up a second-round match with second-seeded Ana Ivanovic. Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain will meet Olympic champion Vera Zvonareva after eliminating Li Na of China 6-2, 6-4. Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
