The sixth seed Nicole Vaidisova is through to the second round of the ASB tennis classic after beating Alla Kudryavtseva in three sets.
The 19-year-old Czech took the first set in a tie breaker, lost the second 4-6 and won the third 7-5 in a two and a half hour match.
She looked set to win the third easily, taking the first four games, only to let the 21-year-old Russian back in with a string of unforced errors.
Vadisova may face another Russian, Elena Vesnina, in the second round - or a qualifier who's still be confirmed.
Earlier, last year's runner up Aravane Rezai of France outsted two-time champion Eleni Daniilidou in three sets after the Greek crowd favourite dropped the first set 3-6, took the second 6-3 and lost the third 6-3.