Defending champion Petkovic routs Benesova in Gastein opener

BAD GASTEIN, Austria -- Top-seeded Andrea Petkovic started the defense of her Gastein Ladies title Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-0 first-round win over Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic.

The 35th-ranked German dropped serve three times but was in control of the match after winning the opening set against Benesova, who clinched her second WTA Tour title in Fez, Morocco, in May.

Petkovic, whose Gastein Ladies victory is her sole title, plays Alize Cornet of France in the second round.

Also Tuesday, sixth-seeded Barbora Zahlavova Strycova lost to fellow Czech Sandra Zahlavova 7-5, 6-3. Zahlavova Strycova reached her first career final at the Prague Open last weekend.

Zahlavova is the cousin of Jakub Zahlava, the husband of Zahlavova Strycova.

Zahlavova next plays Ukrainian qualifier Lesya Tsurenko, who beat Mariana Duque Marino of Colombia 6-3, 7-6 (6).

No. 4 Klara Zakopalova of Czech Republic was beaten by Julia Goerges of Germany 6-2, 5-7, 6-1, and No. 5 Sybille Bammer of Austria missed seven set points in the opener before losing to Anastasia Pivovarova of Russia 7-6 (10), 6-3.

No. 7 Tathiana Garbin of Italy rallied to beat 2008 champion Pauline Parmentier of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. She next plays Austrian wild card Patricia Mayr, who routed Lenka Tvaroskova of Slovakia 6-2, 6-0.

No. 8 Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia beat Laura Pous Tio in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.