Venus Williams, last year's winner and my second favourite to win this year, was sensationally beaten in three sets by Russia's Elena Dementieva 3-6 7-6 6-2 in the first match of the maroon group.
Williams, the defending champion had beaten Dementieva in nine of their previous eleven meetings and a tenth victory over the Russian looked likely after Venus took a 6-3 3-1 lead but a spirited fightback from the world number five took the match to a third and deciding set.
Dementieva then showed her class and demolished Williams, who made 27 unforced errors, with some powerful baseline shots to take the match and lead the group going into day 2.
Venus's sister, Serena had better fortune in the maroon group after beating French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in their first meeting since the final at Roland Garros.
Serena edged this tight two setter 7-6 7-5. Williams fought hard in the first set by twice coming back from a break down, and winning four straight points in the tie break.
Williams improved in the second set and broke Kuznetsova's serve to take it 7-5 and overtake Dementieva at the top of the group going into day 2.
Day 2 of the round robin stage will no doubt see the clash of the competition with an all William's encounter on the cards and with Serena leading their head to head 11-10, Venus will be looking to even the score and avoid slumping to her second consecutive defeat in the competition.
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