Safarova loses in 1st round of Citi Open
By Associated Press
Jul 29, 2014 5:02 PM CDT
Lucie Safarova, of The Czech Republic, reacts during a match against Kristina Mladenovic, of France, at the Citi Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, July 29, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic lost to France's Kristina Mladenovic in the first round of the Citi Open on Tuesday.

Mladenovic rallied for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory against the Wimbledon semifinalist. She will face American qualifier Taylor Townsend in the second round.

No. 2 seed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory against two-time defending champion Magadalena Rybarikova of Slovakia. Rybarikova had won her last 10 matches in the tournament.

No. 5 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova moved into the second round with a 6-2, 6-2 win over France's Virginie Razzano. Pavlyuchenkova next faces Japanese qualifier Hiroko Kuwata.

On the men's side, Americans Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson each advanced with straight-set victories. Querrey beat countryman Michael Russell 6-4, 6-3, and Johnson eliminated Australia's James Duckworth with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) win.

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