Osaka, Japan - Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark launched her 2009 campaign in style, beating Japan's Ayumi Morita in the first round of the Japan Open women's tennis tournament on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old Dane, ranked sixth after her runner-up finish at the US Open, saved two out of two break points while she won a perfect three out of three break chances to score a 6-4, 6-1 victory.
In the second round she will take on Katie O'Brien of Britain, who beat American Alexa Glatch on Monday.
Former champion Jill Craybas of the United States, whose only WTA title came in the 2002 Japan Open, edged past four-times champion Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to silence the crowd.
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Marion Bartoli of France, the second seed and 2006 champion, outclassed Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 7-5.
In other action, Taiwan's Chang Kai-chen, who shocked then World No.1 Dinara Safina of Russia in Tokyo two weeks ago, defeated Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand 7-5, 6-1.
Japan's Kurumi Nara earned a place against Bartoli by beating Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-2, while third seed Samantha Stosur of Australia beat Alexandra Panova of Russia 6-2, 6-4. - AFP
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