Meghann Shaughnessy downed Australia's Alicia Molik in the battle of the heavy hitters at the Qatar Open WTA event.

Shaughnessy, who accounted for compatriot Venus Williams in Dubai last week, defeated Molik 6-4 6-3 to advance to the second round.

The American, who has won three singles titles to her Australian opponent's one, needed just one break in the third game to pocket the first set.

Molik fumbled and failed to raise her game in the second set and was broken in the fifth game, conceding the lead 2-4 to her opponent.

Shaughnessy, who rose as high as No.11 in the world rankings in 2002, again broke Molik to love in the ninth game to book her place in the second round.

"It was very important to return well throughout. She is a very good server and I took care not to be broken," said Shaughnessy. "I played from the baseline and moved her around a lot."

Two Chinese players, Jie Zheng and Li Ting, and Jelena Kostanic of Croatia were also among the early winners.

Zheng sent Stephanie Gehrlein of Germany crashing out 6-2 6-3 while her countrywoman Ting came back from a set down to beat Belgium's Els Callens 1-6 6-3 6-4.

Kostanic lost the first set but rallied strongly to put down 'lucky loser' Angelique Widjaja of Indonesia 2-6 6-2, 6-4 to advance.

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