INDIAN WELLS, Calif., March 10 (UPI) -- Struggling Alexandra Stevenson was among Thursday's first-round losers at the $2.1 million Pacific Life Open, but four other Americans survived.
Stevenson was sent packing by Croatian qualifier Ivana Lisjak 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Stevenson, a surprise Wimbledon semifinalist back in 1999, is 0-2 on the WTA Tour this season.
Four other Americans, however, survived their first-round tests on Day 2. Vania King topped Russian qualifier Anastassia Rodionova 6-3, 6-1, while fellow wild card Shenay Perry disposed of Argentine Mariana Diaz-Oliva by a 6-2, 6-1 count.
Teen qualifier Jessica Kirkland recorded a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-3) decision over German Sandra Kloesel to advance, while Bethanie Mattek overcame fellow qualifier Nicole Pratt of Australia 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-3.