Mon Oct 13 16:28:39 2008

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Hantuchova, Mauresmo drop Zurich openers

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Zurich, Switzerland (Sports Network) - Struggling Slovak Daniela Hantuchova and fading Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo were a pair of first-round losers Monday at the $600,000 Zurich Open.

Capable Russian Maria Kirilenko cut down an eighth-seeded Hantuchova 7-5, 6-2, while rising Belarusian Victoria Azarenka leveled oft-injured Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 6-1 on the indoor hardcourts at Hallenstadion. Hantuchova has now dropped six of her last nine matches, while the two-time major champion and former world No. 1 Mauresmo has lost five of her last six outings.

In other opening-day action, Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko came back to beat France's Alize Cornet 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). Bondarenko is rewarded with a second-round match against third-seeded Wimbledon champ Venus Williams.

This week's top seeds are red-hot world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic and French Open champ Ana Ivanovic, both of Serbia. Jankovic is seeking her fourth title in four events. She captured her latest title in Moscow on Sunday.

This week's winner will claim $95,500.