ISTANBUL — Top-seeded Venus Williams was eliminated from the first round of the Istanbul Cup in a 6-4, 7-6 (4) upset by Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko on Tuesday.
Bondarenko managed three service breaks in the opening set and took a 5-2 lead in the second before Williams rallied, winning four consecutive games and serving at 6-5 for the set.
But the momentum swung back Bondarenko’s way as the Ukrainian won 11 of the last 15 points to seal the victory.
In other matches, Urszula Radwanska of Poland upset third-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 and fourth-seeded Alize Cornet of France beat Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 6-3, 7-5.
Francesca Schiavone and Camila Giorgi of Italy advanced, along with Alexandra Panova of Russia, Kurumi Nara of Japan and Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.
