ZURICH, Switzerland - Daniela Hantuchova was lost
without a first-round bye.
Unseeded Paolo Suarez of Argentina ousted the eighth-seeded
Hantuchova, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 on Tuesday in the first round of
the $1.3 million Swisscom Challenge.
Hantuchova, a 20-year-old Slovakian, received 14 first-round
byes in 20 tournaments this year. Her other first-round loss
this year came at the Australian Open against Fabiola Zuluaga.
Suarez, who also defeated Hantuchova in Toronto earlier this
season, advanced to a second-round encounter with Elena Bovina
of Russia. Bovina defeated Australian qualifier Alicia Molik,
6-4, 6-1.
Slovenian qualifier Katarina Srebotnik led Mary Pierce, 6-0, 2-0
when her opponent retired with an abdominal strain. Srebotnik
now will face top seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium, who received a
first-round bye.
Nadia Petrova bounced Swiss wild card Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian,
6-3, 6-1 and will face fellow Russian Elena Dementieva, the
fourth seed, in the second round.
Patty Schnyder of Switzerland defeated Eleni Daniilidou, 6-3,
6-3, and improved to 3-1 against her Greek opponent.
Third-seeded Amelie Mauresmo, who also had a first-round bye,
is next for Schnyder.
The winner collects $189,000 and 275 points in the championship
standings.