Australia’s singles representation at the WTA’s Qatar Open has come to an abrupt end on the opening day with loses to Samantha Stosur and Casey Dellacqua.
Czech Lucie Safarova ensured Stosur’s below-par season continued with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 first-round victory at the hardcourt tournament in Doha on Monday.
Dellacqua started well against seventh seed Williams but faded to a 3-6 6-2 6-1 defeat.
Meanwhile, two-time champion Victoria Azarenka beat Angelique Kerber 6-0 6-3.
Azarenka, who won in 2012 and 2013, was forced to withdraw last year due to a foot inflammation.
Returning to Doha as a wild card entrant, the Belarusian needed just 66 minutes to beat the eighth-seeded Kerber.
“I’m pretty happy with it. You know, there isn’t a lot of things to complain about,” said the former world No.1, who has now slipped to 48.
Kerber, who lost to Simona Halep in last year’s final, was blown away in the first set in which Azarenka dropped just nine points.