PARIS, France - The first round of the Open GDF SUEZ kicked off Monday and two of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's brightest young stars - Elena Vesnina and Agnes Szavay - were able to advance to the second round.
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Vesnina, the No.8 seed at the Premier-level tournament, took out Alexandra Dulgheru in straight sets, 61 64. Vesnina came very close to cracking the Top 20 during the second half of last year but her form has dipped somewhat in recent months, losing six of her last eight matches coming into Paris. But the No.29-ranked Russian looked good against the tenacious Romanian Monday.
Earlier in the day, Agnes Szavay, a runner-up here two years ago, advanced with a 63 10 retirement win over Olga Govortsova, who had a viral illness.
Next for Vesnina is Tathiana Garbin or Ioana Raluca Olaru; Szavay plays either No.3 seed Yanina Wickmayer or wildcard Petra Martic.
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World No.7 and top seed Elena Dementieva spoke to the press at the All-Access Hour, discussing everything from her second round clash with Justine Henin at the Australian Open to the recently retired Amélie Mauresmo.
"I was watching the matches in Australia and getting ready for this tournament," Dementieva said. "It has been a long time since my last match, against Justine at the Australian Open. I didn't expect such an early exit in Melbourne. I'm just happy to come back here and play this tournament here in Paris.
"Amélie and I played so many great matches against each other. She's probably one of the best players I've ever played with. I remember a lot of close ones. It's very sad news for the French crowd that she retired, but that is her decision and we all have to respect that. She had a very successful career. She achieved every possible and impossible goal so she must be proud. She's not only a great player but a very nice person - we're going to miss her."
