Australian Open quarterfinalist Ekaterina Makarova crashed out of the French Open in the first round Monday after a surprise straight-sets defeat to Sloane Stephens of the United States.
Stephens, ranked 70th in the world, defeated Makarova, ranked 32 places higher, 6-4, 7-6(6) despite winning fewer points in the match.
Makarova has suffered first-round defeats in three of the last four years at Roland Garros, despite reaching the fourth round last year.
In round two Stephens faces fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, ranked No. 171 in the world, who claimed the scalp of the 12th seed Sabine Lisicki earlier Monday, winning 6-4, 6-3.
Earlier Monday, 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 the 85th-ranked Austrian 1-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Russian 27th seed Nadia Petrov booked her place in the second round with a straightforward win over Czech player Iveta Benesova.
Petrova knocked out world No. 51 Benesova 6-3, 6-3 and will play South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers, ranked 45th in the second round.
Defending champion Li Na trounced Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-1
In the men’s draw, two-time semifinalist Nikolay Davydenko exited after a 6-3, 7-6(5), 7-5 defeat to Andreas Seppi, while top-ten seeds Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and John Isner all won their opening encounters in straight sets.
Feliciano Lopez, seeded 15th, withdrew with an injury while 5-0 down in the first set to qualifier Florent Serra.
