By Chris Davies
January 12 2004

Top seed Eleni Daniilidou was forced to retire from her first round match against Tathiana Garbin with other seeds tumbling out aswell The Greek top-seed was trailing 7-5, 2-0, when she retired due to a back injury. She also withdrew from her doubles match, putting in doubt her appearance in next week's Australian Open.

Russians faired less better as Kuznetsova was upset by Argentina's Maria Emilia Salerni, 6-1, 6-1. Salerni who was tipped two years ago to be one to watch has failed to set light to her career since touring on the Professional circuit may have a change of career this year.

Likhovtseva also fell in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, to American Amy Frazier, who was runner-up here last year.

American teenager Ashley Harkleroad, 6-1, 7-6 (8-6)was beat by 7th seed Anca Barna has the teenager aggrevated a shoulder injury during the first set.

British rising start Anne Keothavong so a brave effort end after fighting her way through the qualifiers and taking a set of Rita Grande lost 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.

First Round Results

(4) Fabiola Zuluaga (Col) bt Jie Zheng (Chn)
6-4, 6-4

Mashona Washington (USA) bt Iveta Benesova (Cze) 6-3, 6-0

Martina Sucha (Svk) bt Samantha Reeves (USA)
6-3, 2-2 ret

Tathiana Garbin (Ita) bt (1) Eleni Daniilidou (Gre)
7-5, 2-0 ret

Amy Frazier (USA) bt (3) Elena Likhovtseva (Rus) 6-2, 6-3

Rita Grande (Ita) bt Anne Keothavong (Gbr)
6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-3

Maria Emilia Salerni (Arg) bt (2) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus)
6-1, 6-1

(7) Anca Barna (Ger) bt Ashley Harkleroad (USA)
6-1, 7-6 (8-6)

Klara Koukalova (Cze) bt Yuka Yoshida (Jpn)
6-2, 7-5

Samantha Stosur (Aus) bt Melinda Czink (Hun)
6-4, 6-1