China's top player Li Na and rising star Yan Zi both won in the opening round of the DFS Classic tennis tournament.

Thirteenth seed Li Na, who has soared to number 32 in the women's rankings, downed veteran American Mashona Washington in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

In another Sino-US clash, Yan Zi sent off 16th-seeded Laura Granville 6-4, 6-4.

In the doubles event, second seeds and Olympic champions Li Ting and Sun Tiantian beat Maria-Emilia Salerni and Maria Vento-Kabchi 7-6, 6-3 for a first round victory.
 
(CRI June 13, 2006)