Nudnida, who like Thassha represented Thailand in the Fed Cup tie against the Slovak Republic over the weekend, cleared first round hurdle Vishika Chhetri of India with ease, winning 6-2 6-2.

But Thassha had to leave the tournament when she was outplayed by South Korean Lee Jin-a 6-2 7-6 (7-5) on a day that tropical showers suspended play twice.

The other successful Thai yesterday was teenage star Nicha Lertpitaksinchai, who defeated Khunpak Issara 6-2 4-6 6-4 in a match lasting almost three-hour match that featured long baseline rallies.

Three seeded players made it safely to the second round. No 4 Parul Goswami of India dismissed Sasirin Borwornchokchai 6-1 7-5, No 7 Chan Wing-yau Venise of Hong Kong prevailed over Nutchanok Saenya-Ukhot 6-1 6-3 and No 8 Lavinia Tananta of Indonesia ousted Penporn Chantawannop 6-3 6-2.

The remaining round two spots were booked by Uzbekistan's Dilyara Saidkodjaeva and Mauritius' Marinne Giraud. Saidodjaeva beat Indonesian Viven Silfany Tony 6-1 7-6 (7-3), while Giraud trounced Daowadueng Phonkan 6-2 6-3.

Serena back in style

nSerena Williams won her first competitive match in six months, beating Anastasia Myskina 6-2 6-2 in the first round of the Western and Southern Financial Group Women's Open in Mason, Ohio.

In an earlier match, fifth-seeded Jelena Jankovic advanced to the second round with a 6-3 6-2 win over Ukrainian Olga Savchuk.

In another match, fourth-seeded Katarina Srebotnik beat Paraguayan qualifier Rossana De Los Rios 6-3 7-6 and Alexandra Stevenson was trailing ninth-seeded Sania Mirza 6-1 2-0 when Stevenson retired with a right shoulder strain.