Defending champion Dushevina rallies to beat Martic and reach 2nd round of Istanbul Cup

ISTANBUL – Defending champion Vera Dushevina struggled against Petra Martic before rallying for a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win in the first round of the Istanbul Cup.

Dushevina earned her first WTA Tour title in Istanbul last year but was broken seven times against her Croatian opponent Monday.

Sixth-seeded Andrea Petkovic easily advanced by beating Pemra Ozgen 6-2, 6-1, while No. 4 Yaroslava Shvedova lost 6-4, 7-6 (5) to Stefanie Voegele.

French Open champion and top-seeded Francesca Schiavone led Anne Keothavong 4-0 when their match was suspended because of rain.