Tennis: Former champion dumped out in first round

Taylor Townsend from USA, in action against Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, during their ASB Classic 1st round singles tennis match, at the ASB Tennis Arena. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

The opening day of the ASB Classic has seen a significant upset, with former Champion Yanina Wickmayer dumped out of the tournament in the first round by American teenager Taylor Townsend.

Townsend justified her wild card with a compelling display, dispatching Wickmayer 7-5 3-6 6-0 in an impressive display of power tennis.

As good as Townsend was, the world No75 Wickmayer was out of sorts for much of the match, clearly frustrated as she struggled to find the form that has seen her reach the final in Auckland on three previous occasions.

Townsend struggled from the start, finding some time to adjust to the swirly conditions at Stanley Street. The American - a former No1 Junior - was making her first appearance in Auckland while her opponent had been here on six previous occasions.

The Belgian grabbed the first break and held a handy 4-1 lead in the first set before Townsend got her game together. The 18-year-old took six of the next seven games to take the set, as Wickmayer got increasingly frustrated, slamming her racquest into the court at one changeover.

Townsend can be erratic - typical with younger players - but showed great mental strength to save three set points serving at 5-4 down, the third with an audacious squash style flick that drew a bemused smile from the Belgian.

Wickmayer clicked back into gear in the next set, getting an early break and taking the set comfortably 6-3.

The crowd was braced for a epic deciding set but it didn't happen. Townsend found a new level while Wickmayer self destructed, unable to handle the American's power from the baseline.

The 2010 Champion was broken three times as the young wild card took the final set 6-0, converting her third match point.

Meanwhile, in the second centre court match of the day, American Sloane Stephens looked impressive in her first outing, comfortably accounting for Spanish veteran Silvia Soler-Espinosa in straight sets.

It took just over an hour for the world No 35 to seal the match 6-3, 6-1, using her strength, power and superior stroke play to dominate.

Stephens claimed the first break to lead 3-2 after a thrilling rally that ended with a delicate forehand winner cross-court.

The sixth-seed showcased her strong forehand to post several winners as the diminutive Soler-Espinosa struggled to match her power and accuracy. Stephens pushed her advantage out to 6-3 after dominating the rallies with some efficient and varied stroke play.

The 21-year-old's momentum continued in the second set as she carved out an early 3-0 lead, and despite Soler-Espinosa's determination to challenge for every point the Spaniard was swiftly accounted for.

Stephens, who is still searching for her elusive first title win, will now prepare for a second round encounter against countrywoman Lauren Davis, who earlier today became the first main draw winner after completing a stunning comeback to win in the third set over compatriot Shelby Rogers.

Davis found it tough going early on against the big-serving Rogers, but kept her composure to fight back from 1-6 down to swing the momentum her way before winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.