Russian seeds fall, qualifiers impress in ATP-WTA event

Russian seed Igor Andreev and Alla Kudryavtseva made first-round exits while some impressive qualifiers advanced at the 1.22 million-dollar WTA and ATP hardcourt tournament in Memphis.

Sixth seed Andreev was ousted by compatriot Igor Kunitsyn 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. Andreev, ranked 22nd, fell to 0-4 this season with his third first-round ouster in a row.

Australian qualifier Chris Guccione fired 19 aces and denied Vince Spadea’s three break-point chances to eliminate the American 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/5) while Israeli qualifier Dudi Sela beat American Bobby Reynolds 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

On the women’s side, Dutch qualifier Michaella Krajicek upset Russian seventh seed Kudryavtseva 6-1, 6-4, but five other women’s seeds advanced.

Second seed Victoria Azarenka of belarus defeated American Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, 6-2 while Czech third seed Lucie Safarova fired eight aces to eliminate Britain’s Melanie South 6-2, 6-2, in 62 minutes.

British fourth seed Anne Keothavong rallied past Italy’s Maria Elena Camerin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 while German sixth seed Sabine Lisicki beat Russian Ekaterina Bychkova 6-3, 6-3 and French eighth seed Pauline Parmentier downed compatriot Julie Coin 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 6-1.