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Four Chinese players were dumped out of the China Open at the first hurdle including Olympic semi-finalist Li Na despite high hopes for home-grown success.

Li, who reached the fourth round of the US Open last month, slipped to a 6-1 7-6 (4) defeat against Italy's Francesca Schiavone in just under two hours.

"I think I was in a hurry and I made many mistakes," the Chinese number one and world 29 said afterwards.

Li, who missed a chance to level the match while serving for the second set at 5-3, also lost in the first round at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last week.

Former Wimbledon and Australian Open doubles champion Yan Zi, meanwhile, lost 6-3 6-4 to Japan's Ai Sugiyama, while France's Alize Cornet beat Yan's Zhang Shuai 6-1 3-6 7-6.

Peng Shuai capped off a miserable day for the host nation when she succumbed 7-5 6-4 to Russia's Alla Kudryavtseva.

Wimbledon semi-finalist Zheng Jie was the only genuine Chinese prospect left in the draw. She was leading in-form world number 10 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 3-0 in the first set when rain halted play for the day.

Zheng reached the semi-finals of the Guangzhou Open last week.

Elsewhere, Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak beat Virginie Razzano of France 6-7 (3) 7-5 6-4.

Serbians Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic are seeded one and two in the China Open, with both chasing the women's number one spot currently held by Serena Williams.

New world number three Dinara Safina, who captured the Pan Pacific Open title, has withdrawn due to injury.

Reuters / AFP