• Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

Kuznetsova makes serene start in Stuttgart

Svetlana Kuznetsova was rarely on the back foot against Katarina Srebotnik © Getty Images

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Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova could barely have wished for a better start to her Porsche Tennis Grand Prix campaign, strolling past Katarina Srebotnik on Tuesday.

Kuznetsova was on court for just 69 minutes as she polished off her Slovenian opponent, taking the contest 6-1 6-2. Two breaks of serve in either set provided official recognition of her dominance, in a match where power and consistency proved decisive.

Srebotnik did create three break points, but all were saved by Kuznetsova who was equally dangerous when returning first and second serve. In the end, the Russian won nearly two thirds of the points on offer, setting up a second-round clash with Na Li, who beat Sara Errani 6-1 6-1.

Fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanksa edged out Ana Ivanovic in a tight 7-6 6-4 victory. In the first set each player shared half of the 88 points played, and each won one of three break points earned. Radwanska lifted in the second set, breaking three times to progress.

Qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova is also through after she beat Margalita Chakhnashvili 6-3 6-4. After eight breaks of serve, Pironkova's greater conversion of first serves into points proved vital, taking 75 percent of points on offer compared to her opponent's record of 57 percent. She's joined by another qualifier, Olga Govortsova, who topped Anna Lapushchenkova 6-4 6-1.

Shahar Peer was made to work harder in her clash with Polona Hercog, eventually winning through 6-3 3-6 6-1. The Israeli hit six aces and broke three times to progress. Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru got the better of Tatiana Poutchek 6-2 6-2.

World No.33 Agnes Szavay will feature in the second round after fighting past Andrea Petkovic 6-3 2-6 7-5 in just over two hours.

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