O'Brien outplayed in first round

O'Brien is ranked 218 places below Schiavone

British number three Katie O'Brien was knocked out of the Eastbourne championships after a straight sets defeat to Italy's Francesca Schiavone.

Sixth seed Schiavone ruthlessly pounced on a series of unforced errors by wildcard entry O'Brien to win 6-3 6-1.

Anne Keothavong now carries British hopes when she meets last year's runner-up Vera Dushevina on Tuesday.

Big guns Amelie Mauresmo, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne are not in action until Wednesday.

O'Brien admitted her defeat was a wake-up call and said: "It was a tough match for me but I could have been a lot more positive and my head went down a bit.

You've got to go for it at this level and I've still got a lot to learn Katie O'Brien

"This is my first year on the circuit after playing Challengers and I thought I worked hard.

"But when you see the intensity and the intent of the top girls like Francesca you know there is a lot more to do.

"Sometimes we are fed things with a silver spoon in British tennis but you have to go for it yourself at this level. I know I've still got a lot to learn."

O'Brien's defeat meant she missed out on the chance of winning a new car offered by tournament sponsors if either she or British number one Keothavong could win two matches in the Wimbledon warm-up event.