Venus Williams upset at Kremlin Cup

MOSCOW (AP) — Venus Williams was beaten in the opening round for the second time in 12 tournaments this season, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to Flavia Pennetta of Italy at the Kremlin Cup on Tuesday.

The Wimbledon champion, who also lost in the first round at Memphis in March, dropped to 1-3 against Pennetta.

"I totally came here because I love winning," the eighth-ranked American said. "I have never won this title, but I just had a day where I could not control my game. She played well."

Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva, two seeded Russians who have never reached the final of their home event, won their first-round matches.