Unseeded world No.44 Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria has ended Patty Schnyder’s hopes of a second title at the Moorilla Hobart International, defeating the Swiss second seed 6-2 6-4 in the first round.
“To beat the number 14 is a big win, I’ve only had three or four top 20 wins so this is a big win for me,” Pironkova said.
Eighth seed Tamarine Tanasugarn also lost in the first round, being defeated by Czech Iveta Benesova 7-5 7-5. Surviving a scare was seventh seed Alona Bondarenko, who overcame Romania’s Monica Niculescu 6-4 2-6 6-2.
