Ana Ivanoic starts her bid for the third Generali Ladies title by defeating Yania Wickmayer of Belgium on Tuesday.

Sloane Stephens overcame a slow start to beat Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia in the first round. The third-seeded Ivanovic was the winner of the event in 2008 and 2010. She served five aces and broke five times against Wickmayer, the 2009 winner. She next plays Francesca Schiavone of Italy.

Ivanovic said the result seemed bit easier that the actual game. She said Francesca Schiavone made her work but harder, especially in the second set.

Stephens, seeded second, dropped her first two service games but the 12-th ranked American broke Rybarikova three times to take the opening set.

Stephens lost her only previous match against Rybarikova. She held serve throughout the second set. Stephens next plays Andrea Petkovic, Germany, who defeated Austria's Yvonne Meusburger.

Camila Giorgi of Italy upset finalist Julia Georges, Germany, the last year's finalist. Giorgi, the 105th ranked, won the three qualifying matches to reach the main draw.

Kirsten Flipkens, Belgium, rallied to beat 17-year-old Donna Vekic of Croat. Giorgi, faces fifth-seeded Kirsten Flipkens In the second round.

Fourth-seeded Carla Suarez Navrro of Spain drive out Kristyna Pliskova, Czech Republic and seventh-seeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia downed Annika Beck, Germany.