In the first round matches played t the Olympic Tennis Centre here today , the unorthodox Romanian player, Niculescu was stretched by 16-year-old Kazakh qualifier Zarina Diyas before winning 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-2; while Camerin fought her way past Russian Elena Bovina 6-0, 3-6, 6-4.

Top seeded Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru snuffed out a late challenge from Japan’s Kurumi Nara 6-2, 7-5 , as Local favourite and second seeded Agkul Amanmuradova kept the Uzbek interest alive beating qualifier Eirini Georgatou (Greece) 6-4, 6-4 in the last match of the day. However, Akgul’s country mates Sabina Sharipova and Nigina Abduraimova could not justify the organizers faith in awarding them wild cards losing in contrasting styles.

Sharipova lost to sixth seeded and 88th ranked Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-3, while Abduraimova pushed Belarus’ Darya Kustova to three sets 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in hour and 51 minute contest.

Ukraine’s Olga Savchuk, celebrating her birthday, disposed off Russian qualifier Nadeja Guskova in just 55 minutes. Savchuk won 6-2, 6-2.

The match of the day was the one involving Monica Niculescu and Zarina Diyas wherein Diyas showed maturity beyond her age. It was fact accepted by Niculescu, who said “it was close match for me. She’s definitely is going to be a good player and has the potential of being a Top-100 player.”

Niculescu’s teammate Dulgheru found Kurumi Nara’s ability to chase every ball tough to handle before staging a comeback win. Kurumi fight back in the second was brilliant, but Dulgheru’s experience held out eventually.

Speaking after her match Dulgheru said" Kurumi was tough competitor and played extremely well , I’m happy to come through " she added.