Pattaya, February 7:

Former world No 1 doubles player Paola Suarez of Argentina romped to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Vera Zvonareva on Tuesday, vanquishing the Russian top seed in just 68 minutes in the first round of the $170,000 Pattaya Womens Open at the Dusit Resort Hotel.

The Argentine veteran, who topped the doubles ranking in 2002 and reached her highest singles ranking of 9 in 2004, avenged a loss to the world No 33 Russian in the first round of

the ASB Woman’s Classic in Auckland last month.

Suarez, who was hampered by injuries throughout much of last year, performed consistently from the baseline, while Zvonareva was error-prone and off-track, so rattled as to throw down her racket in frustration.

“I served well in the first set but the second set was a bit tough because I couldn’t get my serves in and she broke me twice. But she didn’t play well today,” said Suarez, now ranked 319th in the world. Third-seeded Catalina Castano of Columbia meanwhile dismissed Anastassia Rodionova of Russia 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Results have been especially disappointing for China, three of whose players have lost in first round play. But Australian Open doubles champions Zheng Jie and Zi Yan crashed out in the first round in different fashions, Zi Nan taking one set before falling on Monday to Finland’s Emma Laine.

Sixth-seeded Zheng was very erratic in her groundstrokes, and Hungarian Melinda Czink beat her Tuesday without much strain 6-0, 6-2. Also on Tuesday, Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak upset Li Na, 6-3, 6-1.

In another first round match, Austrian Sybille Bammer ousted Suchanan Viratprasert of Thailand 6-3, 6-3.

Gaz de France PARIS: Vera Dushevina of Russia beat Ivana Lisjak of Croatia 6-0, 7-6 in a first-round match at the Gaz de France indoor tournament.

Dushevina, ranked 46th in the world, next meets Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo of France in Wednesday’s second round. Top-seeded Mauresmo has a first-round bye.

Also, France’s Virginie Razzano beat Czech Kveta Peschke 6-1, 6-1, and next plays defending champion Dinara Safina, who began her title defence with a 6-2, 6-1 win over fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze.