Coco Vandeweghe falls at first hurdle in Dubai

20 February 2017 11:54

Australian Open semi-finalist Coco Vandeweghe crashed out in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to fellow American Alison Riske.

Vandeweghe ousted then world number one Angelique Kerber en route to the Melbourne semis last month but the 11th seed was well beaten by Riske 6-4 6-4.

Riske, who is ranked 38th and 16 places below her opponent, had teamed up with Vandeweghe at the Fed Cup only two weeks ago and she admitted it was awkward facing her compatriot.

"It can be difficult [to play a friend], especially we just had the best week together at Fed Cup. So it was unfortunate that we played each other first round," Riske told reporters.

"But at the end of the day you have to focus on you, and there are so many Americans now in the top. We are all friends, or at least I feel like we are.

"We're going to beat each other week in and week out, and it's something that we've got to get used to."

Tenth seed Caroline Wozniacki endured no such problems against Daria Kasatkina, beating the Russian teenager 6-2 7-5 to reach round two.

There were also opening victories in Dubai for Japan's Naomi Osaka, Puerto Rican Monica Puig and Croatian 19-year-old Ana Konjuh.

Kerber, who can reclaim her number one ranking off Serena Williams by winning the tournament, was given a bye and begins against fellow German Mona Barthel on Tuesday.

Elsewhere at the Hungarian Ladies Open, second seed Lucie Safarova was made to work hard for a 6-0 5-7 6-7 (7/4) win over Magda Linette of Poland.

Sixth seed Pauline Parmentier, eighth seed Annika Beck and Croatia's Donna Vekic are also safely through.

Source: PA