Meghann Shaughnessy thanked a radical change in tactics for a dramatic victory over France's Nathalie Dechy here on Monday to reach the second round of a 600,000-dollar WTA tournament.
The unseeded American kept her head in long baseline duels and unsettled Dechy, the 2004 runner-up here, with big serves and soldi retrieving on the way to a 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-4 upset over a foe who won their nine prior meetings.
"Shes been the biggest nightmare for me. Ive lost to her the most than any other player," Shaughnessy said.
"But this time, Ive changed tactics a little. I went more at her body in stead of pulling her wide. And I served big."
Shuaghnessy, 26, received a last-minute wild-card after Russian Anastasia Myskina pulled out of the final tune-up for the US Open, which starts next Monday in New York.
"It was very last minute," Shaughnessy said. "The plan originally was to come early and play doubles and take it easy for the Open. When I was told I got the wild card I practically kissed (the organiser)."
Both players held their deliveries until the first set tie-breaker, which Shaughnessy dominated.
Fifteenth-ranked Dechy, 26, fought back into the match, breaking her opponent for the first time in the fourth game to win the second set. After trading service breaks in the final set, 60th-ranked Shaughnessy raced up 3-1 but let her lead slip away before rallying.
"She served very well and mixed her game. I had a lot of opportunities but simply couldnt take the lead," Dechy admitted.
All four Russians in action booked safe passage into round two on the very day Maria Sharapova became the first Russian to ascend to the WTA's top ranking.
Maria Kirilenko blasted Italys Silvia Farina Elia 6-1, 6-3. Anna Chakvetadze took a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over Serbias Jelena Jankovic.
Vera Douchevina humbled Chinese rising standout Peng Shuai 6-4, 6-4 and Elena Likhovtseva saved a match point on the way to a 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 victory over France's Marion Bartoli.
FIRST ROUND: Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) bt Jelena Jankovic (SEM) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2; Maria Kirilenko (RUS) bt Silvia Farina Elia (ITA) 6-1, 6-3; Elena Likhovtseva (RUS) bt Marion Bartoli (FRA) 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3; Vera Douchevina (RUS) bt Shuai Peng (CHN) 6-4, 6-4; Kveta Peschke (CZE) bt Tatiana Golovin (FRA) 6-3, 6-4; Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) bt Virginie Razzano (FRA) 6-4, 6-2; Magdalena Maleeva (BUL) bt Jamea Jackson (USA) 4-6, 6-0, 6-2; Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) bt Nathalie Dechy (FRA) 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-4.