Two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal of Spain and former winner Serena Williams of the United States have advanced to the third round of the French Open tennis tournament in Paris.
Nadal, the second seed, scored a straight-sets win over Italian Flavio Cipolla, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4. Williams scored a straight-sets win over Milagros Sequera of Venezuela, 6-0, 7-6.
In other matches, Australian Lleyton Hewitt overcame a two-set deficit for the fourth time in his career to beat 2004 champion Gaston Gaudio of Argentina in five sets, (4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2). Second seed Maria Sharapova of Russia defeated American Jill Craybas in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
Fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo overcame French compatriot Nathalie Dechy and a two-hour rain delay to reach the third round in three sets (6-3, 6-7, 6-1). Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia downed American Meghann Shaughnessy (7-6, 6-3).
In men's play, sixth seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia beat Laurent Recouderc of France in four sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1). Seventh seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia defeated Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in four sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3).
Elsewhere in the women's draw, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia beat Sania Mirza of India (6-1, 6-4). Fourteenth seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland scored a straight-sets win over Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine (6-3, 6-2). Number-17 seed Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia downed Vera Dushevina of Russia (6-4, 6-2).
Former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus defeated Denmark's Kristian Pless in straight sets (7-5, 6-3, 6-4). Number-12 seed David Ferrer of Spain ousted Argentina's Diego Hartfield (6-4, 6-3, 7-6).
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
