Vera Zvonareva has new hair and a title to defend

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BNP Paribas Open defending champion Vera Zvonareva is seeded 12th this year and a defense of her title would be a big accomplishment for the 25-year-old Russian. She had right ankle surgery in November, and after her 6-2, 6-3 win over Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia on Monday, Zvonareva said she was thrilled to be here.

‘I have great memories,’ she said.

Zvonareva also has a new hairstyle, one a little shorter than when she won here last year and also with wispy bangs. She said she took advantage of complimentary hair styling offered to players at the Australian Open.

Zvonareva and fellow Russians Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva have all said here that they are likely to skip the Federation Cup match against the United States, April 24 and 25 on hard courts in Birmingham, Ala. The event is scheduled in the midst of the clay-court season. Zvonareva suggested that Fed Cup matches should be played on the same surfaces that are used at major tournaments taking place during the same time period.

There has been no word about which players will represent the U.S. Melanie Oudin led the U.S. team that beat France in the first round without Serena and Venus Williams.

-- Diane Pucin