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Lisicki dumped out by determined Brianti

Sabine Lisicki suffered a first round defeat © PA Photos

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Wimbledon semi-finalist Sabine Lisicki was the big casualty of the first round of the Linz Ladies on Wednesday, as she was beaten in three sets by Italy's Alberta Brianti.

Lisicki looked to have got back on track after winning the second set to restore parity in the match, but she was overcome by her opponent in the deciding set as she lost 7-5 4-6 6-3 in just under two hours.

It was a disappointing defeat for the German, who managed to blow a 5-2 advantage in the opening stanza to dig something of a hole for herself. She managed to hold on to her advantage in the second set but fell apart in the third, as Brianti dominated her first serve with some aggressive returning on the way to getting the all-important break she needed to win the clash.

Elsewhere, past champion Daniela Hantuchova needed three sets to beat Croatia's Petra Martic 6-3 6-7(6) 6-1, after failing with a match point in the second set that would have lightened the eighth seed's workload significantly.

Ninth seed Flavia Pennetta had few troubles disposing of Elena Vesnina, 7-6(4) 6-2, and will now face Australian Anastasia Rodionova in the second round - after she defeated Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 7-6(6) 6-1.

Jie Zheng produced the shock of the day at the Japan Open, taking out fifth seed Jarmila Gajdosova 7-5 6-3.

No. 3 seed Angelique Kerber avoided an upset, beating Olga Govortsova 6-1 6-3, while fourth seed Petra Cetkovska eased past Erika Sema 6-0 6-3. Up next for Kerber is Tamarine Tanasugarn after the Thai beat Mathilde Johansson 6-2 6-4.

Vania King got the better of an all USA affair, battling past Jill Craybas in three sets to reach the second round.

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