Vinci, Safarova post upsets in Tokyo

TOKYO, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Czech Lucie Safarova and Italian Roberta Vinci scored first-round upsets Sunday in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Safarova, ranked 44th in the world, ousted former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) and Vinci, ranked No. 56, knocked off countrywoman Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 6-2.

Ivanovic is ranked No.8 in the world and Penetta is 10th.

Dinara Safina, the defending champion and the tournament's top seed, will open against qualifier Kai-Chen Chang of Taiwan and American Serena Williams, seeded No. 2, will take on Russian qualifier Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in her opening match.