China's Peng Shuai lost to Nathalie Dechy of France in straight sets in the opening round of the WTA tournament in Paris on Wednesday.

Peng, 22, had been instrumental in China's 3-2 Fed Cup World Group win over France at the weekend when she gave the hosts their first point after beating Virginie Razzano in Beijing.

Dechy took revenge for her compatriot at home with a 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over Peng at the Pierre de Coubertin stadium.

Peng missed her chance to force a third set as she threw away a 6-1 lead in the tie-break.

Despite the disappointment Peng said her focus remains the Beijing Olympics which not even the Chinese New Year celebrations can distract her from.

"I will have many New Years when I have retired but this year I'm focusing on tennis," said Peng. "The Olympics are really big for China and there are great expectations of me."

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2008)