French pair crash out, but joy for Errani in China

BEIJING: French interest in the China Open women's title ended on the opening day of the tournament Saturday, with both Kristina Mladenovic and Alize Cornet crashing out in the first round.

Mladenovic fought back from a set down to come within reach of forcing 12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro to a third set tie-break, but the Spaniard eventually claimed victory 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

Suarez Navarro will face German Mona Barthel in the second round of the dual ATP and WTA event, which is being played at Beijing's Olympic Park.

Cornet retired injured in the first set of her match with Francesca Schiavone, with the score 3-2 in the Italian's favour.

Schiavone potentially faces a tough task in the second round, facing either Russia's Elena Vesnina or the top seed, American Serena Williams.

Meanwhile, fifth seed Sara Errani overcame Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens after an early scare.

The Italian world number six was taken to the tie-break in the first set, but kept her composure to win it 7-3.

Errani then dominated the second set, losing only one game as she closed in on victory.

Romanian Monica Niculescu was also forced to overcome her opponent after a tie-break, eventually defeating German Annika Beck 7-6(7/4), 6-4.

Wildcard entry Heather Watson stormed to a 6-1 lead in her first set against American Varvara Lepchenko, but the Briton failed to capitalise on her early success, losing the final two sets 6-3, 6-3.

Poland's Urszula Radwanska made it through to the second round after she defeated Romania's Simona Halep in two games which both went to the tie-break.

But tenth seed Roberta Vinci cruised through, claiming victory over Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-2.

The Italian's victory earned her a tie against either Zhang Shuai or her Chinese compatriot Peng Shuai.

American Sloane Stephens booked her place in the next stage of the tournament with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak.

The 12th seed and US number two will face Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova in her next game.

The China Open began on Saturday and will reach its climax on October 6. Eight of the top ten women's players are in the draw.

The men's competition is at the qualification stage. (AFP)