Kirilenko, Safarova without Seoul, Hingis Up Today

Having cracked the world's Top 20 after Roland Garros this past June, Kirilenko began struggling with her form from then on, winning consecutive matches just once in her next eight tournaments. Coming into this event ranked No.29 in the world, she sought a return to form; but she was again bounced early, this time falling to fellow Russian teenager Vera Dushevina in a marathon three-setter, 63 57 75.

"I couldn't breathe at the beginning of the match," said Kirilenko, who throughout the match was visibly struggling with the hot and humid conditions.

"It was the longest match of my career, three and a half hours," said Dushevina, who hasn't won consecutive main draw matches since the clay court season. "Maria and I grew up together. It's always difficult to play someone you know."

Other seeds joining Kirilenko on the bench were Arvidsson (No.6), a 60 64 victim to Akiko Morigami; Dulko (No.7), who was sent home, 61 63, by former Top 10 player Paola Suarez; and Safarova (No.8), taken out by Virginia Ruano Pascual, 75 64. Suarez and Ruano Pascual are the top seeds in the doubles this week.

Three of the seven seeds in action Tuesday did manage to win opening round matches, those being recent Bali finalist Marion Bartoli (No.3), a 64 61 winner against Jill Craybas; Ai Sugiyama of Japan (No.4), who battled back for a 16 62 64 victory over Romanian qualifier Ioana Raluca Olaru; and two-time 2006 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titlist Vera Zvonareva, a 61 62 victor over Camille Pin. Zvonareva and Dushevina are the No.2-seeded doubles team here.

Also advancing to the second round on Tuesday were Russian qualifier Anastassia Rodionova and Indonesian wild card Angelique Widjaja.

The last two first round matches are on tap Wednesday, along with the first three second round matches. Top-seeded Hingis and Indian sensation Sania Mirza hope to set up a second round clash as they take on a qualifier and a wild card, respectively; Zvonareva squares off against Finland's Emma Laine in the only second round match to feature a seed.

This is the third staging of the Tier IV Hansol Korea Open Tennis Championships. Russian icon Maria Sharapova claimed the title in its inaugural year in 2004, while another teen sensation, Nicole Vaidisova, hoisted the trophy in 2005.
-- WTA