Russian 27th seed Nadia Petrova booked her place in the second round of the French Open on Monday with a straightforward win over Czech player Iveta Benesova.
Petrova knocked out world No. 51 Benesova 6-3, 6-3 and will play either South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers, ranked 45th, or Spanish player Laura Pous-Tio, ranked 98th, in the second round.
Petrova has never played either of her potential opponents.
Earlier Monday in the women’s draw, Russian 11th seed Vera Zvonareva withdrew with a shoulder injury, handing her Hungarian opponent Timea Babos a free pass to the second round.
World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka suffered a setback early on against world No. 105 Alberta Brianti but rallied to win 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-2 and avoid an embarrassing first-round exit.
Jelena Jankovic, the 19th seed, was forced to do the same, fighting back from a first-set thrashing to beat Austrian world No. 85 1-6, 6-1, 7-5.
In the men’s draw, two-time French Open semifinalist Nikolay Davydenko exited after a 6-3, 7-6(5), 7-5 defeat to Andreas Seppi, while 15th seed Feliciano Lopez withdrew with an injury while 5-0 down in the first set to qualifier Florent Serra.