AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Venue: Melbourne Park Date: 18-31 January
Coverage: Live on BBC Red Button (streamed on BBC website) and Radio 5 Live sports extra daily from 0830 GMT, text commentary daily from 0000 GMT on BBC Sport website

Baltacha also lost in the first round in Auckland last week

British number one Elena Baltacha went out in the first round of the Hobart International to Jelena Dokic.

Baltacha, who had beaten 2007 champion Anna Chakvetadze to make the main draw, lost 6-4 6-2 to the Australian.

"Overall I've had another great week, with eight matches in two weeks," said the 26-year-old and world number 84.

There was good news for Britain in Auckland where 19-year-old Dan Evans came through qualifying at an ATP World Tour level event for the first time.

The British number four, world ranked 266, defeated Tsung-Hua Yang in three sets to book a first-round meeting with fellow qualifier Michael Lammer of Switzerland.

Baltacha had been hoping to gain revenge for her loss to Dokic, now the world number 56, in the first round of Wimbledon in 2003, but the Australian proved to be too strong.

"It was a very difficult match. I felt I played a good match and I believe the scoreline isn't a reflection on the tennis that I played," added Baltacha.

Meanwhile, at the Sydney International, two of the favourites suffered first-round defeats on Monday.

US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki was knocked out 2-6 6-3 6-2 by China's Li Na and former world number one Jelena Jankovic lost her opening round match 5-7 6-1 7-5 to Hungary's Agnes Szavay.

Top seed Serena Williams has a bye in her opening match and is expected to play her second-round game on Tuesday.

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Justine Henin pulled out after injuring her leg in the final of the Brisbane International against Kim Clijsters on Saturday, while Vera Zvonareva retired injured during her first round tie against Elena Vesnina.

France's Gael Monfils, the top men's seed in Sydney, pulled out before hitting a ball at the Olympic tennis centre because of a shoulder injury he sustained in Brisbane.

"I think I have an inflammation... it's getting worse and worse," said the Frenchman. "If I keep playing on it, it's gonna turn into something chronic I think, so I need to take some days off."

World number one Roger Federer has decided not to play in this week's Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, choosing instead to spend his time practicing.

American Andy Roddick also opted not to play in the round-robin event after reaching Sunday's ATP final in Brisbane.

Argentina's David Nalbandian is a doubt for the Australian Open after withdrawing from the Heineken Open in Auckland on Monday with an abdominal strain.

It was due to be Nalbandian's first tournament since May when he underwent hip surgery, but he had to pull out after suffering a new injury during a warm-up for his first round match against Philipp Kohlschreiber.

"I am very disappointed not to be able to make my comeback this week," said Nalbandian. "Although I am disappointed, I remain confident and positive about making a full-time comeback to the tour soon."

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