• French Open, Day One

Keothavong outclassed by Pennetta in Paris

ESPN staff
May 23, 2010
Anne Keothavong attempts to control a backhand © Getty Images
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Day One in pictures

Anne Keothavong battled valiantly against No.14 seed Flavia Pennetta in her first-round tie at the French Open, but she was made to pay for her inability to make any inroads on her opponent's serve.

The match always promised to be a tough task for the Brit - Pennetta, who sealed a 6-2 6-2 triumph, had claimed a WTA title on clay in Marbella last month.

That victory came in the midst of a successful period for the Italian, coming shortly after a starring role in her country's Fed Cup campaign.

Nonetheless, there was recent precedent for Pennetta suffering surprise losses at Grand Slam tournaments. In Australia, she failed to progress past the second round - despite having put together a run of impressive wins in the build-up.

Keothavong, playing in her second tournament at Roland Garros, was unlucky to lose the first set by a four-game margin. Pennetta pounced on both the break points she was offered, while Keothavong struggled to create opportunities to strike back - particularly against her opponent's first delivery.

It was much the same story in the second stanza - Keothavong had her moments, often looking dangerous from the back of the court, but Pennetta's know-how on clay always kept the Brit at arm's length. She now moves on to face Roberta Vinci or Virginie Razzano.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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