Russian women have dominated play in the first round of the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, with world number two Maria Sharapova leading the way into the second round.
Sharapova beat Emilie Loit of France in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 and will play American Jill Craybas next. The Russian only returned to action last week after taking two months off to treat a shoulder injury.
In other matches, third-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia advanced with a straight-sets blowout of compatriot Ekaterina Bychkova, 6-love, 6-3. Kuznetsova takes on American Meghann Shaughnessy, a 6-1, 6-0 winner over former champion Anastasia Myskina of Russia. Ninth seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia defeated Australian Alicia Molik 6-2, 6-3.
In men's play, two Serbian players posted wins. Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia ousted Marat Safin of Russia in a second round match 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. Sixth seeded Novak Djkovic of Serbia scored a first-round win over Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-3, 7-6, 6-4.
In women's first-round play, seventh seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia scored a 6-2, 6-0 win over Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden. Number-13 seed Elena Likhovtseva of Russia downed Taiwan's Chan Yung-Jan 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Vera Dushevina of Russia ousted Camille Pin of France 6-4, 6-4. Agnes Szavay of Hungary defeated Luxembourg's Anne Kremer 7-5, 6-2.
In second-round matches, tenth-seeded Dinara Safina of Russia beat Israel's Tzipora Obziler 6-1, 6-0. Elena Dementieva of Russia scored a 7-5, 7-5 win over Mathilde Johansson of France. American Venus Williams topped compatriot Ashley Harkleroad in straight sets 6-1, 7-6.
In men's first-round play, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain beat 10th-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. Carlos Moya of Spain took five sets to beat Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0. David Ferrer of Spain scored a straight-sets win over Daniele Bracciali of Italy 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.
In second-round matches, ninth-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo beat Konstantinos Economidis of Greece 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. Belgian Kristof Vliegen upset 11th-seeded Richard Gasquet of France 7-6, 6-3, 6-1.
