ZURICH, Switzerland - Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez wrecked Swiss youngster Myriam Casanova's hopes of home success when she sliced her way to a 6-4 6-3 victory in the Swisscom Challenge on Monday.

Spaniard Martinez, 30, gave Casanova a tennis lesson in front of a hopeful Zurich crowd, delivering a measured and polished performance.

"It is never easy playing against that sort of player," said the 17-year-old Casanova, acknowledging Martinez was in a class above. "Her slice shots were difficult to cope with."

The Spaniard will now face top seed Jennifer Capriati after the American world number three was handed a bye into the second round.

Yugoslav Jelena Dokic was another player in a hurry crushing Croat Iva Majoli 6-1 6-4 in less than one hour.

Majoli, 25, had hoped to continue the form that began with her first tournament win in five years, in Charleston in April, a run that has moved her from 58th in the world to her current position of 27.

But she was out-classed by Dokic and, after managing to hold serve through the second set, she lost confidence at 5-4 down and gave away the win to her Yugoslav opponent.

Russian players Tatiana Panova and Elena Dementieva both progressed to the second round earlier in the day with straight sets victories.

Dementieva, who will turn 21 on Tuesday, celebrated a day early as she improved her chances of making it into the WTA championships by fighting past German qualifier Anca Barna 6-2 7-5.

The young Russian, ranked 22 in the world, slipped to a first-round defeat by Switzerland's Maria-Gaiane Mikaelian in last year's tournament.

But she made sure she did not make the same mistake this time, battling hard to take the opening set.

Barna, a qualifier for the tournament, made her fight for the win in the second set but was eventually overpowered.

Dementieva's victory came after 26-year-old Panova beat Anne Kremer of Luxembourg 6-4 6-2.

The Russian, ranked one place above Dementieva, was rewarded with a second-round tie against second seed Lindsay Davenport.

The first set was a close-fought affair, with Panova taking it after 47 minutes but she cruised through the second with ease.