Amanmuradova wins at WTA China stop

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GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- No. 3-seeded Akgul Amanmuradova opened the Guangzhou International Women's Open in China Monday with a straight-set win.

Amanmuradova stopped Olga Savchuk 6-5, 6-2 behind a nine-ace attack. Amanmuradova saved all four of the break-point chances she faced and claimed three breaks of Savchuk's serve.

Fifth-seeded Chang Kai-chen and No. 8-seeded Chanelle Scheepers also advanced. Chang ousted Kurumi Nara 6-1, 6-2 and Scheepers defeated Xu Yi-Fan 6-4, 6-0.

In other first-round matches, Maria Elena Camerin slipped past Lu Jing-Jing 3-6, 6-1, 7-5; Zhang Shuai rallied to beat Sophie Ferguson 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2; and Ekaterina Ivanova topped Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

Jarmila Groth, the world's No. 60-ranked player, is the top seed for the Guangzhou International. She opens her tournament play Tuesday against Nina Bratchikova.