Planet Sport

Richard Gasquet defeated Marc Gicquel 4-6 6-2 6-2 to record the first win of the 2009 season in the Brisbane International.

Gasquet capitalised on five of 18 break-point chances, ending the match after two hours, and 12 minutes.

The Frenchman will face American Taylor Dent in the second round. Dent defeated Steve Darcis 7-6 (7/0) 6-2.

Fourth-seeded Robin Soderling and Julien Benneteau also advanced in the opening matches at the hardcourt event.

Soderling, who will face Benneteau in the next round, posted a 6-3 6-3 victory over Sam Querrey. Benneteau overcame Robby Ginepri 3-6 6-3 7-5.

The top seed in the tournament is the 2008 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is seeded second.

In the women's event, Kaia Kanepi was the lone seeded player to fall.

Russia's Alisa Kleybanova provided the upset, making short work of sixth-seeded Kanepi 6-1 6-4.

Number two seed Victoria Azarenka and third-seeded Marion Bartoli had no such troubles as each won their respective matches.

Azarenka posted a 6-0 6-2 triumph over Kateryna Bondarenko and Bartoli saw off qualifier Monika Wejnert 6-1 6-2.

Unseeded winners today included Tsvetana Pironkova and Jarmila Gajdosova, who will face Azarenka in the next round.

Reigning French Open champion Ana Ivanovic is the women's top seed. The Serbian takes on Petra Kvitova on Monday.