• French Open, Day One

Ivanovic fires warning with rapid start at Roland Garros

ESPN staff
May 27, 2012
Ana Ivanovic wasted little time in dispatching Lara Arruabarrena Vecino © PA Photos
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Day One Gallery

Ana Ivanovic made a statement of intent as she kicked off her French Open campaign in emphatic fashion on Sunday.

The 2008 Roland Garros champion needed less than an hour to dispatch Lara Arruabarrena Vecino in a clinical 6-1 6-1 victory.

Ivanovic, who is coached by former head of British women's tennis Nigel Sears, is not considered among the favourites at Roland Garros. But the Serb demonstrated her clay-court credentials, hitting 27 winners to her opponent's four as she blazed to victory in 59 minutes. The No. 13 seed will now Shahar Peer, who got the better of Stephanie Dubois 6-2 6-2.

Meanwhile another former champion made a similarly impressive start in Paris as Svetlana Kuznetsova sailed to a 6-1 6-3 win over Mirjana Lucic.

Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams survived a huge scare against Paula Ormaechea before rallying to seal her passage into the next round. Williams, who returned to the tour in March after being diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome - an autoimmune disease, was in trouble after losing the first set but dug deep to eventually prevail 4-6 6-1 6-3.

Angelique Kerber safely progressed to the second round with a 6-3 6-4 victory over China's Zhang Shuai, while Melanie Oudin defeated Johanna Larsson 6-3 6-3.

Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez dug deep to beat Eva Bimerova 4-6 6-4 8-6 to set up a second-round clash with Lucie Safarova, who sailed past Anastasiya Yakimova 6-2 6-0.

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