Beijing - Upset lightning struck for the second time in eight days Monday as seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams was humbled in Asia by Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who advanced 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 over the American in the second round of the China Open. A week ago, the 39th-ranked 18-year-old had put out Williams in the Tokyo first round - that time in straight sets.
But it was apparently not a lesson learned for Williams, third in the world, who didn't help her own cause with 14 double-faults and five dropped service games to stumble to the sidelines in two and a quarter-hours.
Pavlyuchenkova's victory was her third over a Top three opponent.
Novak Djokovic won his debut match at the event as the men's tournament second seed had to work to go past Victor Hanescu 6-3, 7- 5.
The world number four Serb, seeded behind Rafael Nadal in China, rained down 10 aces in his winning performance which lasted a shade under 90 minutes.
But his win didn't come easily. "It was a little bit frustrating the way I was losing some points in the second set," he said after also letting loose of his grip and serving his racket as well as the ball at one point in the second set.
"It's not the first time it has happened, but I hope it is the last. It's not certainly comfortable in that this has happened at such a big event. Unfortunately, I sweat a lot in the hand."
Djokovic was playing for the first time since losing in the US Open semi-finals to Roger Federer in straight sets. He took a rest the next week, skipping Serbia'a Davis Cup relegation match.
The Serb, with 13 singles titles, next faces the winner from Viktor Troicki, the Bangkok finalist, and Italian Fabio Fognini.
Philipp Kohlschreiber got in an opening-day win at the new combined event which features a blockbuster WTA draw.
The 22nd-ranked German, who lost the Metz final a week ago against Gael Monfils, defeatedIvo Karlovic, 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 6-1, overcoming 27 aces from the biggest serving threat in the game. Spain's Tommy Robredo beat German Benjamin Becker 6-2, 6-1.
In women's play, Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak claimed the first of the third-round spot with her defeat of France's Alize Cornet 7-6 (7-0), 6-4.
Sixth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-2, 6-1.
In the first round, there were wins for Daniela Hantuchova, through in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, and Francesca Schiavone who played only seven games before German Sabine Lisicki retired trailing 6-0, 1-0.
"I feel like it was a pretty good match for just arriving yesterday," said Hantuchova. "I just tried to focus on trying to recover between the points and not waste much energy.
"I played a pretty smart match.
"I didn't feel very good and felt a bit dizzy at times," said last week's second-round loser in Tokyo.
"I have had no time here to recover from a week which was quite emotional (her Japanese doubles partner Ai Sugiyama retired)."
