MARBELLA, Spain: France's Aravane Rezai fell at the first hurdle at the WTA Andalucia Tennis Experience tournament Tuesday, suffering a straight sets defeat in the first round to Spanish wildcard Estrella Cabeza 6-3, 6-0. Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the second round but not without the second seed dropping a set to qualifier Mona Barthel at the 220,000-dollar event. Kuznetsova won at 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. Russia's Dinara Safina advanced despite dropping her opening set before seeing off Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. Fifth seed Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria eased into the second round with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Spaniard Maria Teresa Torro with home hopes Lourdes Dominguez and Lara Arruabarrena also advancing to the next round. Hungary's Agnes Szavay continued her return from injury with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Swede Johanna Larsson, and next meets Kuznetsova, with top seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus playing her first round tie Wednesday against Spain's Arantxa Parra Santonja. Karlovic advances Former winner Ivo Karlovic continued his domination over German Benjamin Becker, winning 7-5 (7-5), 6-4 in the first round of the US Men's Clay Court Championship at Houston Tuesday. Kei Nishikori of Japan advanced by beating Croatian qualifier Franco Skugor 6-3, 6-2, and American Ryan Sweeting rolled over Tim Smyczek 6-2, 6-2. Lisicki makes fine start Germany's Sabine Lisicki got off to a successful start Tuesday in her opening match at the WTA Charleston tournament by beating Czech Renata Voracova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. In other matches, Maria Kirilenko easily beat American Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-0, Daniela Hantuchova ousted Alla Kudryavtseva 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova defeated fellow Czech Andrea Hlavackova 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/6). Tamira Paszek also beat American Melanie Oudin 6-1, 7-5. Kuznetsov in quarters Russian qualifier Andrey Kuznetsov beat 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II Wednesday. In other matchess, Pere Riba of Spain beat Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan 0-6, 6-1, 7-5, and Pablo Andujar of Spain downed Jeremy Chardy of France 7-6 (6), 6-1 and Victor Hanescu of Romaniadowned Michael Berrer of Germany 6-4, 7
