Pavlyuchenkova escapes first round scare; former Top 10 players through to second round

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who had a breakthrough run in Indian Wells, was nearly ousted in her first round match, and after saving 3 match points, the Russian eventually won it in three sets.

Pavlyuchenkova was down 46 35 against Aravane Rezai, and even faced triple match point, but then came back to win the second set 75, and the third 63.

There were three former Top 10 players who took the courts on Day 1 in Miami, and they were world No. 71 Nicole Vaidisova, who beat qualifier Patricia Mayr 64 62, world No. 43 Daniela Hantuchova, who fought to win to wildcard Melanie Oudin 46 63 62, and world No. 80 Jelena Dokic, who had a tough time against Edina Gallovits, but won 63 76(5).

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Singles - First Round

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (Q) Aravane Rezai (FRA) 46 75 63

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 64 06 64

Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 61 20 ret. (viral illness)

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (WC) Melanie Oudin (USA) 46 63 62

Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. (WC) Arantxa Rus (NED) 36 63 75

Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Anne Keothavong (GBR) 64 75

Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 63 57 63

Mathilde Johansson (FRA) d. (WC) Sania Mirza (IND) 16 76(2) 76

(8) Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) d. (Q) Patricia Mayr (AUT) 64 62

Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) d. Vera Dushevina (RUS) 64 64

Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) d. (WC) Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 60 63

(Q) Tamira Paszek (AUT) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 75 62

(Q) Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 62 61

(Q) Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 62 61

(WC) Jelena Dokic (AUS) d. Edina Gallovits (ROU) 63 76(5)

(WC) Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) d. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 76(1) 63