The ASB tennis classic's second seed Li Na is out of the tournament, losing to unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi 6-1, 6-3 in Auckland.
Meanwhile New Zealand's only hope Marina Erakovic was also knocked out of the classic in straight sets by former world number 11 Alize Cornet of France.
It was Erakovic's first international tournament since returning from injury.
The fourth seed Italian Francesca Schiavone cruised into the second round with a 6-2 6-3 win earlier today over France's Stephanie Cohen-Aloro, and Israel's Shahar Peer beat Polona Hercog of Slovenia in striaght sets.
