Dokic in the news in Hobart

Former world number four Jelena Dokic claimed her first significant WTA tour victory in nearly three years in Hobart.

Former Yugoslav back with a win

Former world number four Jelena Dokic claimed her first significant WTA tour victory in nearly three years in the first round of the Hobart International on Monday. The Australian, who is on the comeback trail after missing almost two years due to injury and off-court distractions, defeated world number 54 Martina Muller of Germany 6-4 0-6 6-2. Dokic is scheduled to play Italian Flavia Pannetta in the second round and if successful, must decide between playing on in Hobart or heading to Melbourne to attempt to qualify for the Australian Open starting next week. Tennis Australia officials did not include the Yugoslavia-born player in their list of wildcards into the main event, and Dokic now faces a dilemma. "I was getting a little tired out there in the second set and a little hot after playing three matches in a row," said Dokic, who also had to go through qualification to play in Hobart. "Coming off a two-year lay-off is hard and I just have to play matches." Pannetta came through 6-4 1-6 6-2 against fourth seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska but there were few worries for top seed Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine, who overcame Aussie wildcard Jessica Moore 7-5 6-2. However, ninth seed Gisela Dulko was forced to quit her match against Nuria Llagostera Vives with a hip injury at 6-3 2-1.