Second seed Li crashes out amid Peer security scare

AUCKLAND - Second seed Li Na crashed out Tuesday from the ASB Classic in a shock start to her season, with Estonian Kaia Kanepi producing a 6-1, 6-3 victory over the Chinese.

Three other seeds advanced as number four Italian Francesca Schiavone beat Stephanie Cohen-Aloro of France 6-2, 6-3, fifth-seeded Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano ousted Monica Niculescu of Romania 7-5, 6-4 and sixth-seeded Russian Elena Vesnina defeated Italy’s Alberta Brianti 6-1, 6-4.

“I could do nothing on her serve,” said the 15th ranked Li. “She was hitting the ball so hard, and controlled every point. Today was not my day.”

Li had won their previous meeting at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

“I am satisfied,” said the 61st-ranked winner Kanepi. “I had only a few bad games, I was mentally stronger today and never gave up.”

Peer ignored the drama of a forced evacuation due to an unattended bag found during a noisy demonstration against her presence outside the gates.

Protestors were chanting about Israeli treatment of Palestinians.

The player ignored the pressure to claim a 7-5, 6-3 first-round win over Slovenian Polona Hercog.

“I am back, I like this tournament,” said Peer. “It’s a shame somebody thinks it’s my fault that there are problems in the world. Even though, I won.”

India’s Sania Mirza defeated Swiss youngster Stefanie Voegele 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 in a two-hour struggle.