Kuznetsova upset by Shuai Zhang in 1st round of Prague Open

PRAGUE (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia was eliminated in the first round of the Prague on Monday on a day of upsets.

The fourth-seeded Kuznetsova was lost 6-4, 6-3 to Shuai Zhang, the Chinese player's first win over the Russian in five meetings.

Another unseeded player, Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, upset sixth-seeded Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the second round.

The 18-year-old Czech will play Polona Herzog of Slovenia, who overcame Heather Watson of Britain 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (5) in a match that took more than three hours.

Also, fifth-seeded Alize Cornet of France advanced to the second round by defeating wild-card entry Kristina Schmiedlova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-3.

Cornet plays Denisa Allertova of the Czech Republic, who upset Coco Vandeweghe of the United States 6-4, 6-1. In their first encounter on the WTA tour, the 103rd-ranked Czech didn't face a break point in the first set and dominated the second against her 37th-ranked opponent.

Eighth-seeded Camila Giorgi of Italy was also eliminated, losing 6-4, 3-6, 5-7 to Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium.

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