Defending champion Yan Zi has fallen out in the opening match at the WTA Guangzhou International Open.

The Australian and Wimbledon doubles champion opened the match with ease, winning the first set 6-2 over Russian Olga Poutchkova.

However, Poutchkova charged in the second set, leading 5-0 before Yan Zi powered to claim the next three games. But it was too late and Yan lost the second set 6-3.

In the third and decisive set, Poutchkova had the upper hand and wound up 6-3 en route to win the match: 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

In other matches, China's Peng Shuai beat Yulia Beygelzimer of Ukraine, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round.

(CRI September 28, 2006)