Safina dents Aussie hopes

Defending champion Dinara Safina has survived a scare from Australian wildcard Jarmila Gajdosova at the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts.

In a match filled with impressive rallies, Gajdosova was able to clinch the first set after she broke Safina in the ninth game and then held serve. But over the next two sets the Russian picked up her game, began reading Gajdosova's serve, and also benefited from a number of unforced errors from the Australian.

Italian Tathiana Garbin, meanwhile, claimed the first major scalp of the tournament, ousting second seed and world No.14 Nadia Petrova in a three hour marathon.

Garbin reached the semifinals of the 2007 event and was leading Martina Hingis before virus-related breathing difficulties forced her to retire.

"I feel like I didn't finish the tournament," she said on Monday after her match. "It was very bad luck because I was sick in the semifinal against Martina, so I'm pretty happy to come back here and win this match first round. It was very tough because Nadia is one of the best players in the world so I'm very proud and happy with the win today."

Nineteen-year-old Agnes Szavay was the other seeded casualty on day two. The world No.20 began strongly against Yuliana Fedak taking the first set, but fought back and took the next two sets. Fedak lost in the final round of qualifying, but received her berth in the main draw courtesy of fellow Ukrainian Julia Vakulenko’s withdrawal.

Two-time Gold Coast champion Patty Schnyder made a strong start to new season, easily defeating Russian qualifier Alisa Kleybanova 6-1 6-3.

Sixth seed Amelie Mauresmo opened the night session and completed a 54-minute 6-1 6-1 demolition of qualifier Olga Savchuk.

American Meghann Shaughnessy was leading Italy's Francecsa Schiavone 6-0 1-0 before she injured her left knee and retired injured.