Kournikova crashes out in first round
Anna Kournikova crashed out of the first round of the Nasdaq-100 Open Masters Thursday falling 7-5 6-3 to Greece's Eleni Daniilidou as tennis's most famous title drought reached another milestone.
Kournikova's 101st career tournament ended the same way as the first 100, in frustration and without a title.
After reaching three semifinals this season Kournikova had appeared tantalisingly close to claiming her elusive first win.
But the Russian pinup has been mired in a slump the last two weeks stumbling out of the season's first two Tier I events, Indian Wells and Miami, in the first round.
"I think the reason for this loss is that I don't have enough matches," said a surprisingly upbeat Kournikova. "Since Mexico I played maybe two matches and that's obviously not enough.
"What's that four weeks...that's a long time without playing and that's what I need.
"I just have to get through this and try next week.
"I think I'm playing better and every thing just has to come together."
Her long blonde hair piled up on top of her head in place of her trademark ponytail, Kournikova, who lives in Miami, delighted the large crowd by breaking her Greek opponent to open the match.
But Daniilidou immediately broke back, both players managing to hold their serve just once in the first eight games.
With the set level at 4-4 and headed towards a tiebreak, Daniilidou got the decisive break at 6-5 when Kournikova sprayed a forehand wide.
Daniilidou, who has not put together back-to-back wins since reaching the third round of the Australian Open, continued to apply the pressure in the second set breaking Kournikova at the first opportunity as she stormed to a 3-0 lead.
Kournikova, who reached the final here in 1998 losing to Venus Williams, continued to battle breaking Daniilidou to get back on serve at 4-3.
But once again, Kournikova was immediately broken back, Daniilidou moving on to a second round meeting with world number one Jennifer Capriati in the second round.
In other first round play, Spain's Conchita Martinez continued to struggle through a difficult season falling 7-5 6-2 to American Jennifer Hopkins.
The former-Wimbledon champion has now won just two matches in six tournaments.
American Amy Frazier's 13th appearance at the Miami event was a short one as she crashed out in the opening round for the second time in three events losing to Germany's Greta Arn 6-4 6-2.
