Safina shocked by qualifier Chang in Tokyo

World number one Dinara Safina cut a dejected figure after suffering a 7-6 4-6 7-5 shock defeat by Taiwanese qualifier Chang Kai-chen in her opening match at the Pan Pacific Open yesterday.

The Russian, dumped out of the US Open in the third round earlier this month, struggled from the start against a player 131 places below her in the world rankings.

"It's not an easy moment," Safina told reporters after surrendering her Tokyo title. "I had a lot of chances in the third set but I just let it go."

"The way I played the game at 5-4 was not right," continued Safina, who had sat sobbing on the steps of the players' lounge after her setback.

"It's so disappointing I didn't play the way I should have played. I never took her out of her comfort zone."