Chakvetadze upset in Zurich

Oct 14, 2008 - 9:11 PM ZURICH, Switzerland (Ticker) -- Anna Chakvetadze's frustrating season continued Tuesday at the 600,000 Zurich Open.

The seventh-seeded Russian was upset, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, by Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu in the opening round of the Tier II hardcourt event.

Chakvetadze had the season of her life a year ago, capturing four titles, winning 59 matches and reaching the U.S. Open semifinals.

The 21-year-old has just one title this season, however, and Tuesday's loss - her fourth first-round defeat in five tournaments - dropped her to 27-22.

Off the court, Chakvetadze had a difficult year to begin with, so its understandable that her focus may be off.

During a December robbery at her residence in Moscow, Chakvetadze was tied while her father was beaten. The criminals stole about $202,000 worth of valuables.

Niculescu, the world No. 66, will face unseeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the second round.

In another surprise, 18-year-old Czech qualifier Petra Kvitova toppled sixth-seeded veteran Patty Schnyder, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Schnyder, the 2002 champion, was making her 15th consecutive appearance at this tournament in her homeland. This marked the seventh time that the 29-year-old has lost in the first round here.

Also slated for opening-round action was fifth-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska who defeated Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina, 6-4, 6-1.

Unseeded first round winners Tuesday were Italy's Francesca Schiavone, Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli and Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain.

First prize is $95,000.