Pattaya, the 8th of February 2010 [PDN]: Second-seed Lisicki was the highlight of the first round as scheduling meant that all other seeded players had a rest day on Monday. Although, Lisicki was hardly pressed into action breezing through the first set against Akgul Amanmuradova 6-0 before the Uzbekistani was forced to retire with an abdominal muscle strain.

Former world top-10 player, Russian Anna Chakvetadze play out an exciting match against veteran American Jill Craybas winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. In another first-round match, Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa dropped the first set but rallied to beat Thai wild card Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-7 (9-11), 6-4, 6-4.

Last years final saw Russian Vera Zvonareva defeated India’s Sania Mirza. Zvonareva has returned this year to defend the title, which will commence today against Russian compatriot Ksenia Pervak.