LINZ, Austria — Seventh-ranked Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic crashed out of the Generali Ladies in straight sets on Tuesday, losing her first match back on tour after a bacterial infection had kept her sidelined since the U.S. Open.
The French Open finalist, who was the top-seeded player at the Austrian indoor event, lost to the 95th-ranked Andreea Mitu of Romania 6-3, 6-4.
Safarova went 3-0 down in the opening set after winning just four of the first 16 points. She reduced her deficit to 3-2 but was broken again the next game.
Safarova dropped serve for a third time at 3-3 in the second set in which Mitu didn't allow her any break points.