Bondarenko opens with win in Budapest

BUDAPEST, Hungary, July 6 (UPI) -- Sixth-seeded Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko started out with a win over Croat Karolina Sprem Monday in first-day action of the GDF Suez Grand Prix event.

Bondarenko got off to a lackluster start, though, dropping the first set 4-6 before eking out a 7-5 win in the second and then rolling 6-1 in the deciding set.

In other opening-round play on the red clay at Romai Tennis Academy, Italian Maria Elena Camerin also started out slow, losing her first set to Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 4-6, then knocking her out of the tournament with decisive 6-0, 6-1 sets.

Romanian Edina Gallovits eliminated Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5, 6-2.

This week's top seeds are Patty Schnyder of Switzerland and defending champion Alize Cornet of France.

The champion of the $220,000 Budapest tournament will collect $37,000.