Tennis: Williams targets first French Open title after hard-fought win

Published on Monday 24 May 2010 09:53

VENUS WILLIAMS overcame major problems with her serve to reach the second round of the French Open.

The five-time Wimbledon champion was broken three times by Patty Schnyder – twice to love – on Suzanne Lenglen Court.

But her famed court coverage meant she broke herself on six occasions and ran out a 6-3, 6-3 winner.

The world No.2 – who has never lifted the women's singles crown at Roland Garros – will now play either Arantxa Parra Santonja or Kurumi Nara in round two.

Williams had won all ten of her previous clashes with world No.61 Schnyder and believes that gave her a psychological advantage.

"The record definitely helped me because I've been at stages of my career where I've had a one-sided record against certain players," she said.

"I think it helped me a lot, especially in tighter situations, so obviously I'd like to have that kind of record against everyone."

Williams has struggled on clay down the years but has shown a marked improvement this season and she is adamant she has what it takes to lift her first French Open crown. The 29-year-old said: "I always – it goes without saying – believe I can win."

Svetlana Kuznetsova admitted nerves got the better of her as she walked out on Philippe Chatrier Court to begin the defence of her title.

The women's champion overcame a sluggish start to cruise past Sorana Cirstea in straight sets and set up a second-round clash with Andrea Petkovic.

Sixth seed Kuznetsova dropped the opening three games against Cirstea but then reeled off nine in a row before winning 6-3, 6-1 in one hour, 12 minutes.

"I was a little bit nervous at the start, and it was a rough start for me, but I think I'm very happy about it," said the Russian, whose up-and-down 2010 was reflected in her performance.

"I managed to come back and fight for every single game.

"It didn't matter if I was down love-40 or 15-40, whatever it was. I was just playing as many balls back as I could."

Petkovic will have the honour of facing last year's winner next after beating Elena Vesina 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

There were two seeded casualties in the women's draw by mid-afternoon on day one.

Victoria Azarenka was the biggest name to fall, the tenth seed suffering a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to Argentina's Gisela Dulko.

Azarenka was followed by 20th seed Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who lost 6-2, 6-4 to Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova.

Home hope Aravane Rezai, the 15th seed, delighted Philippe Chatrier Court with a 6-1, 6-1 mauling of Heidi El Tabakh.

No.30 seed Maria Kirilenko beat Karolina Sprem 7-6 (7-5) 6-4, 19th seed Nadia Petrova was a 6-0, 6-3 victor over Shuai Zhang, while 26th seed Dominika Cibulkova crushed Ekaterina Ivanova 6-2, 6-0. Top seed Serena Williams headlines tomorrow's women's action when she opens against Stefanie Voegele.