(Reuters) - Former world number ones Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic endured a humbling start to the season after the top two seeds were dumped out of the Auckland Classic in the first round by unheralded opponents on Thursday.
Russian teenager Daria Kasatkina, ranked 75th in the world, claimed arguably the biggest win of her career in taking out the seven-times grand slam singles champion Williams 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 in the Australian Open warm-up event.
Williams, 35, made over 70 unforced errors in the scratchy display where she won the title last year to kick off a standout season that saw her claim the WTA's Comeback of the Year award after two other tournament wins in China.