Clement ousted

Ferreira upsets No. 5 seed; Kournikova wins in Sydney

Anna Kournikova blew by Angeles Montolio 6-4, 6-2. AP

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Russia's Anna Kournikova had a straight sets win over Spaniard Angeles Montolio Monday to set up a second-round clash against former U.S. Open titlist Serena Williams at the adidas International in Sydney.

On the men's side, South Africa's Wayne Ferreira put Arnaud Clement's preparations for next week's Australian Open in a spin when he eliminated the fifth seed 6-2 6-4.

Kournikova, one of the most recognizable faces on the women's tennis circuit despite never having won a tour title, raced to a 6-4, 6-2 win here to advance to a showdown against the No. 6-ranked Williams.

"Right now the most important thing is being healthy and getting into shape and just to feel well -- to get to the level where I was before my injury," said Kournikova, who was sidelined for eight months last year with a foot injury.

Kournikova, who reached the semifinals last week at the ASB Bank Classic in New Zealand, said beating Williams would be ideal preparation for the Australian Open which starts next Monday in Melbourne.

"It's going to be a new kind of match for both of us, for me to play a top player and for her to play her first match of the year."

Kournikova, 20, turned professional in October 1995. Once ranked as high as eighth in the world in 2000, the Russian is now ranked 66th.

South Africa's Amanda Coetzer breezed to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Australian wildcard Jaslyn Hewitt -- the sister of men's world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.

Americans Alexandra Stevenson and Meghann Shaughnessy both notched early wins in other women's matches, with Stevenson overcoming Iroda Tulyaganova of Uzbekistan 6-1, 7-6 (5) and Shaughnessy ousting Australian Alicia Molik 6-4, 6-4

Ferreira ousted No. 5 seed Clement of France 6-2, 6-4 in men's first-round matches, while South Korean Lee Hyung-taik upset No. 7 seed Carlos Moya of Spain 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) and Max Mirnyi of Belarus defeated Australian Davis Cup finalist Wayne Arthurs 7-5, 7-6 (4).

"It would be better if I had more matches here but it's okay," said Clement, the world number 17 in rankings released on Monday.

"I now have one week to practice my game and my technique so I am ready for the first day of the Australian Open."

Clement, 24, was runner-up in last year's Australian Open, losing the final to American Andre Agassi.

Ferreira, with a world ranking of 63, made better use of the hot and windy conditions.

In the evening match, American Andy Roddick beat Australia's Andrew Ilie 6-4, 6-4.

Roddick, who won three titles in 2001, was granted a wildcard entry to the tournament and then elevated to the No. 3 seeding last week when Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero withdrew.

Men's top seed Sebastien Grosjean of France will open his campaign Tuesday against Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, while women's No. 1 and defending champion Martina Hingis opens with a second-round match against the winner of the Lisa Raymond vs. Magui Serna clash.

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Reuters contributed to this report.