Kournikova ends losing streak

Anna Kournikova advanced to the second round of the Bank of the West Classic with a decisive 6-3 6-2 win over Anna Smashnova.

Kournikova, who has struggled since breaking her left foot and undergoing surgery last year, snapped a five-match losing streak with the victory over the eighth-seed.

"Everything just really worked for me," said Kournikova, who was a wild card entry.

Kournikova appeared to lose focus slightly at the start when an errant ball from the side-by-side match between Meilen Tu and Kim Clijsters caused her to lose a point - but she quickly regained her poise, winning eight straight points to go up 4-0 in the first set.

"After losing so many matches in a row, I learned from them," she said. "I really felt comfortable. I really felt confident with my strokes."

Kournikova credited new coach Harold Solomon, who has been working with her for about three months. She appeared strong with a balanced attack against Smashnova, throwing her off both at the baseline and at the net.

"We've been working a lot with the basics and putting my game together," she said.

Defending champion Clijsters found a groove to defeat Tu 7-5, 6-2 in their second-round match.

Clijsters has had trouble with her shoulder and upper arm and said she hasn't played since Wimbledon.

"It's always tough to come back," she said.

In the early first-round matches of the event, qualifier Marissa Irvin upset sixth-seed Justine Henin 6-3 4-6 6-1.

Meghann Shaughnessy defeated Mirjana Lucic of Croatia 7-6 6-3 in another first-round match, while Anne Kremer beat Rita Grande 7-5 6-2, Tamarine Tanasugarn overcame Janette Husarova 6-4 4-6 6-4, Lisa Raymond saw off Ai Sugiyama 6-4 6-7 6-1, and qualifier Wynne Prakusya beat Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian 6-1 3-6 6-3.