Lisicki takes 1st-round win in New Zealand

No. 1-seeded Sabine Lisicki kicked off her 2012 season with a straight-set win Monday at the ASB Classic tennis tournament in New Zealand. Lisicki lost both break points she faced and had seven double faults but still came away a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Virginie Razzano. Even with the serving issues -- she was good on just 52 percent of her first serves -- Lisicki took more than 60 percent of the points on serve. Flavia Pennetta, at No 4 the only other seeded player on Monday's schedule, got by Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). Pennetta had five breaks in 11 receiving games. Mona Barthel stopped Jelena Dokic 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. Elena Baltacha escaped a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 challenge from local favorite Sacha Jones and Sara Errani raced past Johanna Larsson 6-1, 6-1 in 51 minutes. Also Monday, Christina McHale advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Alexandra Dulgheru and Lucie Hradecka topped Alberta Brianti 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.