AUCKLAND. Dec 31: The international women's tennis tournament here today lived up to its re-putation as no respecter ol iorm with four seeds out in the first round of the 107, 500 US dollars ASB Bank Classic, reports AFP.

Austrians Barbara Schett (fourth) and Karin Kschwendt (seventh). Belgium’s Dominique van Roost (Sixth) and Frenchwoman Alexandra Fusai (eight) fell at the first hurdle as sunshine replaced cyclone Fergus' torrential rain which cancelled Monday's play.

The biggest surprise was Schetfs 6-4. 6-4 loss to German 16-year-oJd Marlene Weingart-ner making only her second ap-Kearance in the main draw of a

TA Tour event thanks to a wildcard.

She made light of her world ranking ol 211. 179 places below Schett. for the biggest win of her brief Open career, although her junior record includes the singles finals at both the 1995 French Open and the 1996 United States Open.

T felt confident today because I had been playing well.' Weingarlner said.

"It was really nice to get a wildcard otherwise I would not have had the win here."

Van Roost's defeat was at the hands of Japanese Qualifier Rika Hiraki, who prevailed 6-3, 0-6. 6-2.

Among high-profile players who did negotiate a safe passage Into the second round were topseeded German Anke Huber. Austrian No 2 seed Judith Wiesner and defending champion Sandra Caclc of the United States.

Huber, the world No 7. was not at her best . but still had too much In her armoury for Italian Frai^esca Lubiani. winning 6-3, 6-3.

Lubiani. ranked 91, needed treatment for a leg problem during the second set. but Huber

was already a service break ahead at that stage.

T guess it was not a great match." Huber said.

"But it was like I expected. It was the first match of the year after a long break. For sure I can play better.''

Huber next meets American Ann Grosarnan. who got through when Belgian opponent Stephanie de Ville retired with a leg injury in the final set.

Wiesner, a first-round loser last year as the third seed, finally gave the Austrian Contingent something to cheer about when she downed 1994 champion Ginger lielgeson-Nielse of the Unted States. 6-1.6-3.

Unseeded Cacic. who won the tournament 12 months ago as a qualifier, eased past 1994 finalist Ines Gorrochategui. of Argentina, 6-3. 7-5.