Schnyder back to losing ways

Patty Schnyder said she felt exhausted by her efforts over the last few weeks Keystone

After stunning Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams in last month's Charleston tournament, Switzerland's Patty Schnyder suffered an upset of her own on Wednesday.

Seeded seventh at the latest WTA event in Hamburg, Schnyder (WTA 17) was knocked out in the opening round by German qualifier Anca Barna (WTA 80).

The Swiss number two got off to a decent start, taking the first set 6-2 but Barna struck back impressively to wrap up a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph.

After throwing away a 4-2 lead in the deciding set, Schnyder was clearly disappointed.

“I didn’t play to within 20 per cent of my potential,” she later reckoned.

Three days after leading Switzerland into the narrowest of Fed Cup defeats against hot favourites Slovakia, Schnyder said exhaustion had played a part in her latest setback.

“I was totally lacking in energy,” she explained. “My back and my feet were particularly sore. I have played far too many games in the last few weeks and I need to take some time to recuperate.”

Following Schnyder’s early departure, Martina Hingis is the only Swiss player remaining in the $585,000 event. As current world number four and the tournament’s third seed, Hingis has received a bye into the second round.

swissinfo with agencies