MONTERREY, Mexico(AP) Sixth-seeded Iveta Benesova celebrated her career-best ranking by defeating Shahar Peer of Israel 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Monterrey Open on Tuesday.
Thanks to reaching the Hobart final in January and the Acapulco semifinals last week, Benesova improved her ranking to No. 31 on Monday, surpassing the No. 33 she reached in 2005.
After starting off 3-0 down to Peer, Benesova cranked up her game and didn't give Peer another break chance, leading three more Czechs into the second round.
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova edged Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (4), and Petra Cetkovska beat Jarmila Groth of Slovakia 6-3, 6-2.
Fifth-seeded Agnes Szavay of Hungary eliminated Pauline Parmentier of France and will next meet qualifier Vania King of the United States, who beat Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4.
Other winners included Edina Gallovits of Romania, Melinda Czink of Hungary, Mariya Koryttseva of Ukraine, and Roberta Vinci of Italy.