Amanmuradova defeated at Tashkent Open

TASHKENT, Ukraine, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Second-seeded Olga Govortsova and crowd favorite Akgul Amanmuradova were upset losers Tuesday at the $145,000 Tashkent Open in Uzbekistan.

Govortsova was ousted by qualifier Ksenia Palkina, 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 7-5, and Amanmuradova, a native of Tashkent who was seeded seventh, was defeated by Urszula Radwanska in straight sets, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

Tournament No. 1-seed Shuai Peng was an easy 6-4, 6-1 winner over Arina Rodionova and third-seeded Sorana Cirstea topped Ekaterina Dzehalevich in a tight 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 match. No. 6-seeded Monica Niculescu advanced when Olga Savchuk retired due to illness with Niculescu ahead, 7-5, 0-1.

Other first-round winners Tuesday included Michelle Larcher de Brito, Ioana Raluca Olaru and Tatiana Poutchek.