Dinara Safina is beaten again in 1st round

HOBART, Australia – Dinara Safina has lost in the first round for the second straight week as she prepares for the Australian Open.

The former No. 1 player was routed by Marion Bartoli of France 6-0, 6-1 Monday at the Hobart International. Safina is trying to recover her form after a serious back injury. The Russian lost to Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium last week in Auckland.

Bartoli called Safina a "very tough opponent" in what she thought was a "really great match."

Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the U.S. reached the second round when Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia quit because of a hip injury at the start of the second set. The American won the first set 6-2.

The Australian Open in Melbourne begins Jan. 17.