Vavara Lepchenko edges past Svetlana Kuznetsova

World number 44 Vavara Lepchenko has advanced to the second round of the Sydney International with victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova.

The American qualifier won the first set 6-3, but was taken to a decider when the Russian clinched the second set by the same score.

Lepchenko broke at a crucial moment in the third set to seal it 7-5.

The 27-year-old will face Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova, who overcame Sorana Cirstea, in the next round.