PRAGUE, Czech Republic - It was a mixed day for seeds as the first round wrapped up at the ECM Prague Open on Tuesday, with three advancing but two falling. An all-Bondarenko clash highlighted the day's play.
Alona Bondarenko, the No.5 seed at the International event, was ousted in straight sets by her younger sister, Kateryna Bondarenko, 61 63. Alona, 24 years old, and Kateryna, 22, had split their six previous meetings, 3-3; but this time it was little sister who prevailed and took the head-to-head advantage, 4-3, with a comprehensive win - which, in terms of games, was their most lopsided result (75 63 was the previously-most lopsided score).
Magdalena Rybarikova, the No.6 seed, was also a first round upset victim, losing to qualifier Timea Bacsinszky, 62 76(5). No.3 seed Iveta Benesova, No.7 seed Lucie Hradecka and No.8 seed Petra Kvitova, all from the Czech Republic, moved safely through to the second round.
In matches between unseeded players, Kristina Barrois, Monica Niculescu, Polona Hercog, Stefanie Voegele, Alla Kudryavtseva, Karolina Sprem and wildcard Zarina Diyas advanced.
The Top 2 seeds in doubles, Benesova and Zahlavova Strycova (the No.1 seeds) and the Bondarenko sisters (the No.2 seeds) also won as the first round of the doubles event wrapped up.
