Monday, 7 January, 2008

Lucie Safarova saw off Australia's Alicia Molik in the first round of the Medibank International on Sunday.

The Czech Republic star won 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (12-10) despite 12 aces from Molik in a tussle which lasted just over two hours.

Safarova will now play top seed Justin Henin of Belgium, who received a bye.

France's Virginie Razzano benefited from four aces to defeat Australia's Nicole Pratt 6-2 6-1. Razzano will now meet Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in the second round.

Austria's Sybille Bammer knocked out Russia's Nadia Petrova 7-5 6-3.

Bammer will meet the winner of the match between Slovakia's Katarina Srebotnik and fifth-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze.

Murray warms up in Melbourne
Federer out of Kooyong Classic
Youzhny shocks Nadal in final
Llodra too strong for Nieminen
Gustavo to draw Kuerten on career
Molik beaten by Safarova