Peng Shuai continues to struggle on injury comeback
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-11 10:58

INDIAN WELLS March 9 (Reuters) - China's Peng Shuai continued to struggle on her comeback from injury as she was cast aside by France's Stephanie Foretz 3-6 6-3 6-3 in the first round of the Pacific Life Open on Thursday.

Playing in her first match since the Australian Open due to a foot injury, Peng went 6-3 3-2 up but a run of seven games handed the initiative to Foretz, who completed a comfortable win.

"I was lacking energy," said Peng, who has fallen from a career-high ranking of 31st in August last year to her current 60th.

"I kept trying to fight but it was my first match in a long time so I have to focus on getting better and better."

Foretz was delighted after securing only her third singles victory of the year, and she now faces Japan's Ai Sugiyama for a place in round three.

"I haven't played this well in a long time," said Foretz. "My fitness is very good and I managed to stay away from her backhand."

In other Thursday action, Japan's Akiko Nakamura stalled 35-year-old Brenda Schultz-McCarthy's comeback with a 6-4 6-2 victory while American Alexandra Stevenson, a 1999 Wimbledon semi-finalist, continued her slide in a 7-6 6-2 loss to Croatia's Ivana Lisjak.

Wildcard Stevenson fell to 0-5 for the year and has tumbled to number 617 in the rankings. Lisjak will face sixth-seed Flavia Pennetta in the second round.

Two other young Americans progressed when qualifier Bethanie Mattek and teenager Vania King scored wins.

Mattek upset Australia's Nicole Pratt 6-7 6-4 6-3 and will face number 28 Sania Mirza of India. King saw off Russian Anastassia Rodionova 6-3 6-1, and will play number 16 Czech Klara Koukalova.

On Friday, second seed Lindsay Davenport will take on Ashley Harkleroad, while number three Maria Sharapova of Russia will face Jamea Jackson. Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium is the top seed.