Fuente: © Roland Garros (English)
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ROLAND GARROS: Federer, Mauresmo, seeds shine on first Sunday

/noticias.info/ By Matthew Cronin

The first Sunday start in Grand Slam history was entertaining, but the results were predictable, as all the seeds strode through to the next round.

World number ones Roger Federer and Amelie Mauresmo highlighted play on Court Philippe Chatrier, but neither had a walk in the park.

Federer seriously struggled in a 7-5 7-6(2) 6-2 victory over Argentine qualifier Diego Hartfield, while Mauresmo was pressed by American veteran Meghann Shaughnessy in a 6-4 6-4 victory. Fourth seed Maria Sharapova had the most difficult tussle of the day, fighting off three match points and a game Mashona Washington 6-2 5-7 7-5.



Battling a right ankle injury for which she took a medical timeout for in between the second and third sets, Sharapova overcame a 2-5 deficit in the third with a gutsy display of power tennis.

The 18-year-old fought off two match points with two huge forehand winners and watched Washington commit a backhand error on the third one.

Due to her hampered movement and Washington's inspired retrieving, Sharapova looked depressed during much of the third set, but once she got a sniff of victory, she roared away. The popular Russian ended the contest by winning a long, exhausting rally and pounded her heart after Washington sailed a backhand wide.

But it was the usually ethereal Federer's struggle to maintain his consistency or compose a comprehensive game plan that captured the most attention. The Swiss hit his formidable forehand just fine and was adept around the net, but if not for some absurd decision making by his opponent late in all three sets, Federer might have been taken to five.

Federer, who has only dropped matches to world No2 Rafael Nadal this year, had trouble finding his form early and needed a remarkable 2 1/2 hours to beat a player who had never contested a Grand Slam match.

The 25-year-old Argentine played aggressively, often taking to the net, drilling forehands and troubling the Swiss with big kick serves. However, when the big points came, it was the seven-time Grand Slam champion who was the more self-assured player.

"I prefer easy matches," said Federer, who committed 49 unforced errors. "It's always easier when you aren't under pressure, which was my case today, as everybody expected me to win."

Mauresmo has had early round troubles before, but played a reasonably solid match against Shaughnessy, serving hard and consistently, whaling her backhand passing shot and taking care of her opportunities at the net.

Shaughnessy, who won the title in Rabat two weeks ago, was super aggressive with her forehand and was also more than competent at the net, but couldn't contend with Mauresmo's heavy topspin.

"It was a pretty good first round match, which is never easy," Mauresmo said. "Maybe sometimes taking a little bit more control of the game, that might have made a bigger difference today, talking about the score. It's not the match of the century, but it was all right."

France's favorite daughter has never gotten past the quarterfinals here, but has a very reasonable draw this year. After winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2006 Australian Open, she believes that she'll be in a better frame of mind this year.

"I changed my state of mind," she said. "I can see this tournament differently. I have expectations. There's not only the pressure of the public or of the media, there's also my expectations. I want to do well during this tournament."

Red hot Russian Dinara Safina opened the tournament with an impressive 6-3 7-5 victory over compatriot Vera Zvonareva, while playing at the same time on Court Suzanne Lenglen, France's Marion Bartoli, the 25th seed, drilled fellow Frenchwoman Aurelie Vedy 6-1 6-0.

Safina, who reached the final of Rome two weeks ago, looked fit and spry in taking down Zvonareva. The younger sister of former No1 Marat, she may be finally hitting her stride.

"I'm starting to be a little more calm this year, and a little more knowing what I'm doing on the court," Safina said. "I'm trying to play really focused from the first point to when I shake hands. Maybe now with the new coach (Glenn Schapp), we are working more on my weapons. So now I know what can I do. I'm just working every day hard on it."

In other results, seventh seed Tommy Robredo continued the fine form he showed in winning Hamburg with a 6-4 6-2 6-2 win over Tomas Zib, while Britain's Tim Henman, a 2004 semifinalist, scored a tough 6-3 6-4 4-6 6-4 win over Dane Kenneth Carlsen.

"I know that I can play well on this," said Henman, who has struggled with back injury much of the past year. "I'm feeling so fit and good about my game."

No22 Ai Sugiyama also advanced with a 6-7 (1) 6-0 6-3 victory over Eleni Daniilidou. notas_de_prensa_archivo