Niculescu upsets Chakvetadze at Zurich Open

Monica Niculescu overcame a leg injury to upset seventh-seeded Anna Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 Tuesday in the first round of the Zurich Open.
 
The 21-year-old Romanian qualifier, ranked 66th in the world, won 10 of the final 13 games with her left thigh heavily strapped.
 
Niculescu called for trainer while leading 2-1 in the second set. The delay appeared to affect Chakvetadze's timing - she was broken in her next two service games and trailed 5-1.
 
In the third set, Chakvetadze double-faulted to hand Niculescu a 3-2 lead, and then netted a backhand to lose serve again and trail 5-2.
 
Chakvetadze is the second seeded player to lose at the indoor hard court tournament after No. 8 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia fell to Maria Kirilenko of Russia on Monday.
 
Also, Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, and 2007 Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France defeated Hungarian teenager Agnes Szavay 6-4, 6-0.
 
Patty Schnyder of Switzerland was to play qualifier Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic later Tuesday, and fifth-seeded Agnieska Radwanska of Poland was to face Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina.
 
Zurich Open Results

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) - Results Tuesday from the Zurich Open, a $600,000 or €441,000 WTA event played on indoor hard courts at the Hallenstadion (seedings in parentheses):
 
First Round

Marion Bartoli, France, def. Agnes Szavay, Hungary, 6-4, 6-0.
Francesca Schiavone, Italy, def. Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
Monica Niculescu, Romania, def. Anna Chakvetadze (7), Russia, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

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