Mauresmo Battles, Kuznetsova Eases Through!

May 27th, 2008

Paris, France

Another day at Roland Garros, and yet again, just like the last two days, threats of rain were evident. And like yesterday, the rain did not hold out as most of the day was rained out. Many matches stopped in progress and others weren't even allowed to begin. Maria Sharapova will have to wait yet another day to begin her Roland Garros campaign.

First up on Court Phillipe-Chatrier was French hopeful, Amelie Mauresmo. Sadly, Mauresmo has never made it past the Quarter-Finals here in Paris but this year, she doesn't have much pressure on her as she has had lackluster results for the past year and a half. She is the 22nd seed and hopefully her game can last long enough to possibly make a late run in the tournament. However if today was any sign, that will not happen. A tough match for Mauresmo, as she had to battle past her younger opponent, Olga Savchuk, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.

Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2006 Roland Garros Finalist begun her French Open campaign on Court 1, against a sometimes fiesty opponent in Aiko Nakamura. Kuznetsova came out and played her game which can be very dangerous on the clay courts. The young Russian didn't waste any time easing her way to a 6-2, 6-3 victory.

On outer courts, Berlin champion, Dinara Safina who is very comfortable on the clay courts posted a 6-1, 6-3 victory over a tough opponent, Kateryna Bondarenko. Agnieszka Radwanska, last weeks winner in Istanbul also posted a victory, 6-4, 6-3 over Mariya Koryttseva.

Tomorrow, Maria Sharapova will finally get to play her First Round match, also in action, Serena Williams, Alize Cornet and Ana Ivanovic.

Results:

Court Phillipe-Chatrier

(22)Amelie Mauresmo d. Olga Savchuk - 7-5, 4-6, 6-1

Court 1

(4)Svetlana Kuznetsova d. Aiko Nakamura - 6-2, 6-3

Court 3

(13)Dinara Safina d. Kateryna Bondarenko - 6-2, 6-3

(14)Agnieszka Radwanska d. Mariya Korytteva - 6-4, 6-3

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Maria Sharapova - Round 1

2. Ana Ivanovic - Round 2

3. Jelena Jankovic - Round 2

4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Round 2

5. Serena Williams - Round 2

6. Anna Chakvetadze - Round 1

7. Elena Dementieva - Round 1

8. Venus Williams - Round 2

9. Marion Bartoli - Round 1

10. Patty Schynder - Round 2