Top seed Fernandez dumped

Top seed Clarisa Fernandez's Indian Open campaign ended in the first round after she was comprehensively beaten 6-2 6-4 by Japan's Akiko Morigami on Tuesday.

RESULTS: The latest from India

Third seed Elena Likhovtseva was also shown the exit door by little known IsraeliTzipora Obziler, who defeated the Russian 6-2 6-3.

With the defeats of Argentine Fernandez and Likhovtseva and the withdrawal of world number 12 Chanda Rubin before the event, the inaugural WTA event in India has been left with a weakened field even before the second round gets underway.

Second seed Tamarine Tanasugarn, however, survived a stern test before she overcame Yulia Beygelzimer of the Ukraine 6-4 4-6 6-4.

France's Mary Pierce shrugged off losing the second set without getting on the scoreboard to oust Zheng Jie of China 6-3 0-6 6-3.