Rezai falls in Andalucia Tennis Experience tournament

MARBELLA, Spain: France's Aravane Rezai fell at the first hurdle at the WTA Andalucia Tennis Experience tournament on Tuesday, suffering a straight sets defeat in the first round to Spanish wildcard Estrella Cabeza.

Third seed Rezai, ranked 24, went down 6-3, 6-0 against 258th-ranked Cabeza who had lost her only previous meeting with the French player in Palermo five years ago.

Meanwhile, Rezai's serve was broken five times as the Frenchwoman could only convert one of her nine break point chances.

Russia's Dinara Safina avoided a similar fate as she advanced despite dropping her opening set before seeing off Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.