Safina through in straight sets

Former world number one Dinara Safina claimed a straight sets victory over Alona Bondarenko in the first round of the Mercury Insurance Open in San Diego last night.

Safina, who is currently ranked 35th in the world, claimed a 6-1 7-6 (7/2) win over Bondarenko.

In the day's other first round clashes, Alisa Kleybanova and Sara Errani progressed.

Kleybanova beat Aravane Rezai 6-2 5-7 6-3 and will next play top seed Jelena Jankovic.

Errani defeated Olga Govortsova 6-3 1-6 7-5 and will play either Yanina Wickmayer or Svetlana Kuznetsova, who meet on the second day of the tournament.

In the first qualifying round on the first day of the tournament, Coco Vandeweghe defeated Sloane Stephens 4-6 7-6 (12/10) 7-5 and will next play Gisela Dulko.

Chanelle Scheepers beat Jamie Hampton 1-6 6-0 7-5 to reach the main draw, while Kurumi Nara joined her with a 6-3 6-2 win over Madison Brengle and Shenay Perry also progressed, with a 6-2 6-3 defeat of Ajla Tomljanovic.