ROME, (Reuters) – Serena Williams’ bid for the  Italian Open was squashed in her first match yesterday when  the American second seed lost 6-2 2-6 6-1 to Swiss Patty  Schnyder.

Williams appeared out of sorts from the early stages of her  match, which started after 2300 local (2100 GMT) because of  rain delays and the length of the preceding matches.

She dropped serve twice in the first set, the second time  to love, then came back strongly in the second set only to  slump out in the decider.

Champion Jelena Jankovic repelled a gutsy challenge from  Argentina’s Gisela Dulko to move into the third round with a  6-3 7-6 win and world number one Dinara Safina also had to work  hard to beat France’s Virginie Razzano 7-6 6-1.