Romania's Mitu upsets top-seeded Safarova in 2 sets in Linz

LINZ, Austria (AP) Andreea Mitu of Romania upset the seventh-ranked Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round of the Generali Ladies on Tuesday.

French Open finalist Safarova, who was the top-seeded player at the Austrian indoor event, went 3-0 down in the opening set after winning just four of the first 16 points. She dropped her serve again at 3-3 in the second set.

''I didn't expect it, but I believed I could make a good match,'' said the 95th-ranked Mitu, who will next play Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany. ''It's good to have such a tough match, as it makes you stronger for the rest of the tournament.''

Last year's runner-up Camila Giorgi defeated Julia Goerges of Germany 6-3, 6-4 in a match between two former finalists. The sixth-seeded Italian, who also beat Goerges here in straight sets two years ago, saved all six break points against her serve.

Fifth-seeded Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia pulled out because of a viral illness and was replaced by Johanna Konta of Britain, who defeated Anna Beck of Germany 6-1, 6-3.

In other first-round play, Madison Brengle of the United States beat Misaki Doi of Japan 6-0, 6-3; Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium defeated Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 6-2, 7-5; and Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland beat Austrian wildcard entry Tamira Paszek 6-4, 7-5.