Florida, Mar 20: France's Emilie Loit lost her first round match to Australia's Nicole Pratt at the Nasdaq Open in Florida. The French player, who suffered a 5-7 6-2 6-2 defeat, was also subjected to heckling and boos from the home crowd because of her nation's anti-war stance.
Loit, who has professed her own opposition to the war, did not resent the treatment she received. "There's nothing I can do. I'm a player on tour and I have to try and play good tennis," said Loit. Pratt now plays 19th seed Elena Dementieva.
Barbara Schett made an early exit, beaten 6-7 6-2 7-6 in a lively first-round encounter by Australia's Alicia Molik. The Austrian world number 40 will be disappointed to have lost to a player ranked almost 30 places below her.
Italy's Francesca Schiavone beat Germany's Barbara Rittner 6-3 6-3 to set up a second-round match against top seed and defending champion Serena Williams on Friday.
South Korea's Cho Yoon-jeong will play third seed Kim Clijsters after advancing with a 6-4 6-1 success over American wild card Jamea Jackson.


Bureau Report