Kournikova draws another blank

Kournikova endures another fruitless match

Click here for Thursday's results from Miami

Anna Kournikova's WTA title drought continues after she was beaten in the first round of the Nasdaq-100 Open Masters by Greece's Eleni Daniilidou.

Kournikova, who has not won a tournament in 101 attempts on the main tour, lost 7-5 6-3.

The Russian has reached three semi-finals this year but has now lost in the first round of the first Tier I events of the season.

Despite losing to Daniilidou, who has not won two matches in a row since the Australian Open, Kournikova remained in positive mood.

I think I'm playing better and everything just has to come together

Anna Kournikova

"I think the reason for this loss is that I don't have enough matches," she said.

"I just have to get through this and try next week.

"I think I'm playing better and everything just has to come together."

Kournikova, a Miami resident, made a good start by breaking Daniilidou in the first game.

But the Greek player struck back immediately as both women struggled to hold serve in the opening set.

Daniilidou got the decisive break at 6-5 when Kournikova sprayed a forehand wide.

Daniilidou built on her lead by racing to a 3-0 lead in the second set.

Kournikova, who was a runner-up here in 1998, did not lose heart and broke back to get the match back on serve at 4-3.

But the Russian could not hold onto her own serve, allowing Daniilidou to secure victory and earn a second round meeting with world number one Jennifer Capriati.

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First round results:

Martina Muller (Ger) bt Ashley Harkleroad (USA) 6-4 6-4
Brie Rippner (USA) bt Petra Mandula (Hun) 7-6 (7/0) 6-3
Marie-Gaiane Mikaelian (Swi) bt Janette Husarova (Svk) 6-4 7-5
Tina Pisnik (Slo) bt Adriana Gersi (Cze) 6-1 6-3
Cara Black (Zim) bt Maja Matevzic (Slo) 6-0 6-4
Greta Arn (Ger) bt Amy Frazier (USA) 6-4 6-2
Stephanie Foretz (Fra) bt Adriana Serra Zanetti (Ita) 6-4 6-3
Elena Likhovtseva (Rus) bt Tathiana Garbin (Ita) 6-4 6-1
Kveta Hrdlickova (Cze) bt Cory Ann Avants (USA) 6-1 6-1
Marta Marrero (Spa) bt Selima Sfar (Tun) 6-2 6-2
Wynne Prakusya (Ina) bt Martina Sucha (Svk) 7-5 7-5
Conchita Martinez (Spa) bt Jennifer Hopkins (USA) 7-5 6-2
Samantha Reeves (USA) bt Silvija Talaja (Cro) 3-6 6-2 6-2
Paola Suarez (Arg) bt Myriam Oremans (Ned) 5-7 6-4 6-2
Anna Smashnova (Isr) bt Bianka Lamade (Ger) 6-4 6-1
Eleni Daniilidou (Gre) bt Anna Kournikova (Rus) 7-5 6-3

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