Two-time grand slam singles finalist Zvonareva returned to main-draw action after almost two years out at the Dalian Women's Open this month, making it to the final before losing to Kateryna Kozlova.

The Russian came through qualifying in Uzbekistan and fought from a set down to beat Begu 2-6 6-2 6-4 and advance to the second round.

Next up for Zvonareva is Pauline Parmentier, the Frenchwoman comfortably seeing off Risa Ozaki 6-2 6-4 in under an hour and a half.

Marketa Vondrousova and Ekaterina Alexandrova, seeded fifth and eighth respectively, progressed courtesy of straight-sets victories.

Only one Uzbek remains in the draw for the home crowd to support after Sabina Sharipova went down 6-1 6-3 to Stefanie Vogele and Akgul Amanmuradova was convincingly beaten by Kozlova 6-1 6-0.