O'Brien advances in Japan

O'Brien: Advances in HP Open

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British number three Katie O'Brien is through to the second round of the HP Open following her defeat of American Alexa Glatch in Japan.

The 23-year-old, ranked 94th in the world, sent Glatch crashing out of the Osaka tournament in straight sets 6-3 6-4.

O'Brien, who boasted a powerful serve, converted three of five break point opportunities to secure her comfortable win in 66 minutes.

The Yorkshire player, who sits just one place below British number two Elena Baltacha in the standings, could face top seed and US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki in the second round if the Dane overcomes Japan's Ayumi Moriati in round one.

Loss

In other first-round action, fifth seed Shahar Peer crashed out of the competition after losing to India's Sania Mirza.

The Israeli got off to a strong start and claimed the first set, but was eventually unable to contend with Mirza's powerful groundstrokes, and allowed the world number 61 to win 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Eighth seed Yaroslava Shvedova also took an early exit following a 7-5 2-6 7-5 defeat by Frenchwoman Mathilde Johansson.

Francesca Schiavone, seeded fourth, and seventh seed Melinda Czink both advanced to the second round with the former beating Anne Kremer 7-5 6-2 and Czink defeating Ryoko Fuda 6-4 6-4.

Ukrainian Viktoriya Kutuzova won the first set of her match against Maria Kirilenko 6-2 before the Russian was forced to retire.