Dementieva and Wozniacki tumble in Tokyo

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:45

The seeds continue to tumble in Tokyo as Caroline Wozniacki and Elena Dementieva become the latest top-tenners to fall in their opening matches at the Pan Pacific Open.

Olympic champion Dementieva was beaten 6-2 6-7 6-1 by Kateryna Bondarenko in the second round of the $2 million event, shortly before last month’s US Open finalist retired just five games into her second round match against Aleksandra Wozniak.

There were no such problems for former world No.1 Maria Sharapova, who powered her way to the the last 16 with an emphatic 6-0 6-1 victory over Sam Stosur.

After starting with nine of the world’s top 10, the tournament is down to just two ahead of the third round. Dinara Safina, Venus Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova all exited in their first matches after receiving first-round byes yesterday.

Vera Zvonareva also fell on Tuesday, losing 3-6 6-4 6-2 to Alisa Kleybanova, while Flavia Pennetta was bundled out in the first round on Sunday.

A tired and unhappy Dementieva blamed some questionable line calls as she lost to a player she had not conceded a set to in four previous meetings.

“There were way too many bad calls from the chair umpire today,” she told reporters. “I’m surprised they don’t have a challenge system at such a big event.”

Sharapova made sure of her place in the third round by overpowering No.12 seed Sam Stosur in just 57 minutes.

The Australian avoided the double bagel by the skin of her teeth, saving two match points at 0-5 in the second set before the Russian wrapped up a clinical victory with an ace in the next game.

“I just want to finish the year on a good note,” Sharapova, who faces Kleybanova in the next round, said. “I served smart. It was definitely a good day at the office all around.”

Danish world No.5 Wozniacki retired in obvious discomfort after losing the first five games of her match against Aleksandra Wozniak.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here