• Monterrey Open

Jankovic suffers shock opening loss

ESPN staff
March 2, 2010
World No. 28 Anastasia Pavyluchenkova reached the quarter-finals in Dubai © Getty Images
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Top seed Jelena Jankovic has suffered a shock first round loss to world No.72 Anastasija Sevastova at the Monterrey Open in Mexico on Tuesday.

Jankovic started well enough and edged the first set against her little-fancied opponent, but her level slipped as Sevastova's grew throughout the rest of the match, the Latvian teenager taking it 5-7 6-4 6-4.

The WTA website has been promoting the fact Jankovic will be blogging "all week" from the event, and she might have time to pen a short novel now after this embarrassing exit freed up her time.

It was the only major upset of the day as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova eased through to the second round with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Anna Tatishvili. The third seed dropped just three games as she moved past the Georgian qualifier in under an hour.

She will now play Polona Hercog, who continued her impressive run of form with victory over Corinna Dentoni. The Slovenian 19-year-old, who reached her first tour final in Acapulco last week, hit four aces as she enjoyed a 6-2 6-4 victory.

Agnes Szavay, the other seed in action, overcame the hot and cold serving of Julia Goerges to win 6-3 3-6 6-3. The German served 11 aces and eight double faults.

Iveta Benesova battled back from a set down to beat Jill Craybas 3-6 6-2 6-1, and she'll be glad to see it's Sevastova, not Jankovic, waiting for her in the next round. Sara Errani needed just two sets to see off Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-3.

Alize Cornet will play No. 7 seed Aleksandra Wozniak after her 6-3 6-1 win over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

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