Dementieva crashes to qualifier

Jelena Kostanic was beaten by Alexandra Stevenson

Monday's results

Eighth seed Elena Dementieva was a first-round casualty at the Pilot Pen tennis tournament as she was beaten by unheralded German Angelika Roesch.

But Martina Hingis continued her return after injury with a 6-4 6-4 win over Anna Smashnova.

I think this year I have a little match-point problem

Martina Hingis

Dementieva, ranked 13 in the world, lost the first set, but seemed well in charge when she took the second 6-1.

But her opponent, ranked 81 places below the Russian, won the decider despite blowing six match points.

"It was not very easy to finish, and also I was a little nervous at the end," Roesch said.

"I knew how she was playing, and I got a good rhythm against her," she added.

Hingis was relieved to come through the first round

Dementieva's compatriot Elena Bovina came back from a set down to beat Lisa Raymond 4-6 6-1 6-2, while Alexandra Stevenson beat qualifier Jelena Kostanic of Croatia 6-3 7-5.

Hingis said after her victory that her suspect ankle felt "fine" but admitted she still had difficulty closing out matches.

The Swiss star wasted four match points before losing to Jennifer Capriati in January's Australian Open final, and shee needed five chances to put away Smashnova.

"I think this year I have a little match-point problem," said Hingis.

"It's not that I felt I played badly when I had my opportunities, but I just couldn't finish it.

"I thought I was playing really well when we had the long rallies, but all of a sudden, well. She just stopped missing."

The Pilot Pen is the last tournament before next week's US Open.

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Monday's results

Alexandra Stevenson (USA) bt Jelena Kostanic (Cro) 7-5 6-3
Angelika Roesch (Ger) bt Elena Dementieva (8, Rus) 6-3 1-6 6-3
Elena Bovina (Rus) bt Lisa Raymond (USA) 4-6 6-1 6-2
Martina Hingis (5, Swi) bt Anna Smashnova (Isr) 6-4 6-4
Laura Granville (USA) bt Daja Bedanova (Cze) 3-6 6-4 6-1