Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo was eliminated from the China Open tennis championships on Monday as she lost 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 to Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in the opening round.

France's Amelie Mauresmo reacts while competing against Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova during women's singles first round match at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China Sept. 22, 2008. Mauresmo lose to Cibulkova 1-2. [Xinhua]

"It's definitely disappointing, especially since I thought I was playing some pretty good tennis out there tonight," said Mauresmo, who has plummeted to 25th in the world.

"I will have to digest this one and make sure I go back on the right track for the next few tournaments," added the 29-year-old Frenchwoman.

Earlier, seventh seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia beat Argentina's Gisela Dulko 6-3, 6-1.

In other action, Germany's Bjorn Phau, Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues and Lu Yen-Hsun of Chinese Taipei won their respective first round matches.

France's Amelie Mauresmo returns a shot against Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova during women's singles first round match at the 2008 China Open in Beijing, capital of China Sept. 22, 2008. Mauresmo lose to Cibulkova 1-2. [Xinhua]?

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2008)