KEY POINTS:
Top seed Vera Zvonareva moved into the second round of the ASB Classic women's tennis tournament in Auckland with ease today, dispatching New Zealand wildcard Sacha Jones 6-0 6-1.
Aggressive Russian Zvonareva was too strong in all facets of play, pouncing on every short shot and not letting Jones into the match.
Jones, 17, had a number of game points but wasn't able to capitalise on her chances as the world No 22 showed her class against the 325th ranked Jones in a 44-minute match.
"It was a bit windy out there, as usual, but it was a good start to the year for me," Zvonareva said.
"I could see some good things in her (Jones) game. She has a good future if she keeps training and playing at this level."
Jones was downcast at not footing it in a rare shot opportunity at the top level.
"It's not easy getting your butt whipped in front of 3000 people," she said.
"It was a good experience, but at the same time I'm very disappointed. There were still some positives."
Also winning easily today was seventh seed and two-time champion Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, who accounted for British qualifier Elena Baltacha 6-1 6-2 in her first round clash.
Results from the second day:
First round singles
Aravane Rezai (France) bt Zhang Shuai (China) 6-3 6-3
1-Vera Zvonareva (Russia) bt Sacha Jones (New Zealand) 6-0 6-1
7-Eleni Daniilidou (Greece) bt Elena Baltacha (Britain) 6-1 6-2
Camille Pin (France) bt Martina Muller (Germany) 6-3 6-1
Sofia Arvidsson (Sweden) bt q-Ahsha Rolle (USA) 6-4 7-5
Sara Errani (Italy) bt 4-Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands) 7-5 6-7 6-2
First round doubles
2-Laura Granville (USA)/Vladimira Ulanova (Czech Republic) bt Anastasia Rodionova (Russia)/Arina Rodionova (Russia) 6-2 6-0
1-Emilie Loit (France)/Meilen Tu (USA) bt Ayumi Morita (Japan)/Junri Namigata (Japan) 6-3 5-7 11-9
4-Eleni Daniilidou/Jasmin Woehr (Germany) bt Ashley Harkleroad (USA)/Akiko Origami (Japan) 6-3 6-4
- NZPA
