Russian Nadia Petrova made the adjustment to searing tropical heat Tuesday, posting a 6-3, 6-1 opening win over Japan's Aiko Nakamura to reach the second round of the Bali Open. The fourth seed, who lost in the US Open third round to the third seed here Flavia Pennetta, said it had taken her a few days to get accustomed to the weather.
"I feel confident now," said Petrova, who won in Cincinnati this year but has slumped to 21 in the world after standing third on the WTA rankings two years ago. Ukrainian Olga Savchuk advanced over Russia's Alla Kudryavtseva 7-5, 6-2. Kudryavtseva, who gained Wimbledon notoriety after beating Maria Sharapova in the second round and then criticising the style icon's fashion sense, appeared on the informal runway in Bali as part of a tournament promotion.
Anastasia Rodionova, fighting to be given Australian citizenship, won with her Russian passport Tuesday, going through as Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine retired trailing 6-2, 3-0. Top seed and 2007 finalist Daniela Hantuchova received a bye into the second round and plays Ukraine's Savchuk.
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