Last year’s runner-up Samantha Stosur and former world number one Jelena Jankovic led the way into the French Open second round.
Eighth-seed Stosur, the highest-seeded woman in action on the tournament’s first day, defeated Czech Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-3 to set up a clash with Romanian teenager Simona Halep.
“Overall I’m getting better and better,” said Stosur.“I hope I’m becoming a more complete player as each year goes on.”
Meanwhile, Jankovic, beaten by Stosur in the semi-finals 12 months ago, overcame Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko 6-3, 6-1.
Jankovic rarely looked unsettled as she recorded a 13th victory over Bondarenko in 14 encounters.
In another match, Spaniard David Ferrer made a dazzling start to his French Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 first-round victory over Finn Jarkko Nieminen.
The seventh-seeded Ferrer flashed forehand winners around Court Philippe Chatrier to seal the win in just 85 minutes.
Injured Hewitt limps out
Meanwhile, former world number one Lleyton Hewitt was forced to withdraw from the French Open with a left ankle injury, confirmed tournament organisers.
The 30-year-old Australian, who had been due to play Spain’s Albert Montanes in the first round, was replaced by French Marc Gicquel.
Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion currently ranked 64th in the world, underwent foot surgery in March and is yet to play competitively since.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2011.
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