Unfancied Rodina beats Nara at Thailand Open
Bangkok (AFP) - Russia's Evgeniya Rodina comfortably beat Japan's Kurumi Nara in a fresh upset at the Thailand Open on Thursday.
Right-handed Rodina, ranked 109th in the world, saw off fourth seed Nara 6-2, 6-4 in a little over an hour at the seaside resort of Pattaya.
China's top-ranked player Peng Shuai tumbled out of the tournament on Wednesday to Japan's unfancied Misaki Doi in a three-set loss.
China's Zhu Lin was forced to pull out of her second round match Thursday against compatriot Duan Yingying. Zhu had just lost the first set 6-1.
Russia's Daniela Hantuchova also saw off China's Zheng Saisai 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.
The Russians have so far made a strong showing at Pattaya. Rodina and Hantuchova will join fellow two-time Grand Slam finalist Vera Zvonareva in the third round.
The 30-year-old Zvonareva is on a comeback trail after injury and poor form saw her drop from a career high of number two in the world in 2010 to a current WTA ranking of 189th.
