680NEWS

LONDON - Canadians Aleksandra Wozniak and Frank Dancevic were ousted from Wimbledon on Monday, failing to build on their success at the Eastbourne tune-up event last week

Dancevic, a finalist at Eastbourne, lost 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to Belgian Steve Darcis in the first round of men's singles Monday.

Wozniak, the 23rd seed from Blainville, Que., who made the semifinals at Eastbourne, lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to the 43rd-ranked Francesca Schiavone.

"My opponent played some great tennis, she was much fresher than me today," said Wozniak. "I did the best with what I had."

It was a bitter disappointment for the 21-year-old Canadian, who beat French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and defending Wimbledon semifinalist Jie Zheng last week.

"It's tough to lose first round at Wimbledon," said Wozniak. "I had a great preparation and some wins going into this week."

Wozniak said she will now focus on doubles with partner Sabine Liscki of Germany.

Wozniak couldn't hold on to two leads in the deciding set, breaking in the first game but missing a break chance in the fourth and repeating the error four games later.

Schiavone earned a final break for victory, firing a return winner from the far corner down the line past Wozniak.

Wozniak converted just five of 15 break points while producing 31 unforced errors. Schiavone hit 42 winners to Wozniak's 22.

The result leaves Wozniak with a 1-2 record at Wimbledon.

The 92nd-ranked Dancevic, a native of Niagara Falls, Ont., couldn't find his form Monday, a year after upsetting 2002 finalist David Nalbandian in the opening round.

Dancevic finished with 13 aces and 26 winners against No. 77 Darcis.

The early exits of Dancevic and Wozniak leaves Stephanie Dubois of Laval, Que., the lone Canadian left in the singles draw. She faces Sara Errani of Italy on Tuesday.

Toronto's Daniel Nestor and Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic open defence of their men's doubles title Tuesday against Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy.