Kirilenko ousted in Japan Open first round

TOKYO, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Third-seeded Maria Kirilenko, a runner-up in last week's tournament, was ousted Tuesday in the first round of the $175,000 Japan Open tennis tournament.

Kirilenko advanced to the finals of Korea Open last Sunday but lost to Venus Williams. On Tuesday, she was again beaten this time by Camille Pin, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Williams had little trouble winning her Japan Open first-round match, dispatching Jill Craybas, 6-3, 6-1.

But Kirilenko had company in the upset column as fourth-seeded Ai Sugiyama and No. 6-seeded Akiko Morigami disappointed local fans by falling. Sugiyama was taken out by qualifier Meng Yuan, 6-3, 6-3, and Alicia Molik routed Morigami, 6-1, 6-2.

No. 5-seeded Virginie Razzano, who won the tournament last week in China, stopped Tamarine Tanasugarn, 6-3, 6-1, and eighth-seeded Flavia Pennetta advanced with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Ahsha Rolle.

Vania King beat Edina Gallovits, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, and is to face Williams in the second round. Other first-round winners Tuesday were Abigail Spears, Aleksandra Wozniak, Elena Baltacha and Jelena Kostanic Tosic.

The tournament continues through Sunday when the champion will pick up $25,840.