Veteran 19th seed Amanda Coetzer also needed three sets to see off Yugoslavia's Jelena Jankovic 6-2 4-6 6-4.

BBC: Serena safely through

Italy's Silvia Farina Elia edged South Arican Amanda Coetzer 7-6 7-6 to reach the second round in Filderstadt.

BBC: SPORT | Tennis | Clijsters: Serena still the best

The other upset of the day came in the women's draw, as third seed Jelena Dokic went down 7-6 3-6 6-3 to Amanda Coetzer.

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World number 131 Scheepers had beaten Gisela Dulko, a player ranked 86 places above her, previously in her campaign as she became the first South African to reach the last 16 since Amanda Coetzer in 1997.

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