Former world No.7 Patty Schnyder was bundled out on the first day of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Wednesday, while there was no joy for Australian Anastasia Rodionova either.
With the seeds all receiving byes through to the second round, the world No.39 Schnyder was the highest ranked player in action, but the Swiss veteran was outplayed by young Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 6-1 6-4 in just over an hour.
Trying to join compatriots Sam Stosur and Jarmila Groth in the second round, Rodionova proved no match for Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu, losing 6-3 6-1 in just over an hour.
Argentine Gisela Dulko was lucky to escape from her opening round match after fighting back from a set down to record a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win over American Vania King in the first match of the day.
Russian Alla Kudryavtseva also overcame a one set deficit in her 3-6 6-3 6-3 win over Sorana Cirstea, as did wildcard Coco Vandeweghe on her way to a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win over Romanian Edina Gallovits-Hall.
Swiss Timea Bacsinszky set up a second round match up with third seed Vera Zvonareva after she held off Olga Govortsova 7-5 2-6 6-3, while Czech Lucie Safarova won the last six games to defeat Kristina Barrois 7-6 (11-) 6-7 (7-5) 6-0.
Fifth seed Francesca Schiavone lies ahead in the second round for Zuzana Ondraskova after she cruised past American wildcard Lauren Davis 6-2 6-1, but it was better news for another American, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who overcame Vera Dushevina 6-4 6-4.
Young American Alison Riske proved no match for world No.57 Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova, losing 6-2 6-1.
Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm defeated Yaroslava Shvedova 6-4 7-5, Anastasija Sevastova beat Polona Hercog 7-5 7-6 (8-6) and Sybile Bammer needed three sets to get past Swede Johanna Larsson, while Melanie Oudin proved too strong for Elena Vesnina, winning 7-6 (7-2) 6-2.
Injuries also played a part on day one, with Greta Arn and Romina Oprandi both retiring hurt in their matches against Sara Errani and Sania Mirza respectively.