Defending champion Wozniacki struggles past Hradecka

Defending champion and world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki met hard resistance from her opponent Lucie Hradecka before claiming an opening-round victory 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 at the China Open here on Monday. The Dane, who was seeking to secure her top place in the year-end world ranking, didn't find the rhythm at the beginning as her 49th-ranked opponent from the Czech Republic broke three times to take the first set. "Hradecka is a player that doesn't give you any rhythm and serves 200 kilometer per hour, so it's difficult," explained Wozniacki after the duel which lasted one hour and 52 minutes. Wozniacki fought back in the second set by breaking three times to take the set at love, and withstood the pressure while levelling at 5-all in the decider, winning the next games in a row to secure the victory. She will meet Australian Jarmila Gajdosova in the second round. Wozniacki made all of her four double-faults in the first set. "It was tough to really get into the game, but the second set her first serve percentage dropped, and made it easier for me to start the rallies," added the 21-year-old.