Three former Slam winners advanced on the opening day of the Italian Open in Rome Monday at the hands of qualifiers in No. 9 seed
Venus Williams (d. (Q) Ondraskova), No. 10
Anastasia Myskina (d. (Q) Azarenka 7-6 in the third), and unseeded
Martina Hingis (d. (Q) Errani 0-and-1).
"My level dropped a bit in the close stages of the match, but I got it all back," Hingis told reporters after dropping one game. "I'm not yet looking for the final."
Williams will next face tour up-and-comer
Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic who beat countrywoman
Kveta Peschke in straight sets, while Hingis takes the challenge of No. 12 seed
Nicole Vaidisova who needed to come from a set down to subdue Finland's
Emma Laine.
Other winners of note Monday were Serb
Jelena Jankovic ousting No. 14
Elena Likhovtseva in straight sets, and Russian
Vera Dushevina steamrolling Czech Klara Koukalova 2-and-1 to set up a meeting with No. 6
Patty Schnyder.
Highlights of Tuesday play in Rome are Venus vs. Safarova, Vaidisova vs. Hingis, Hantuchova vs. Stosur, Kuznetsova vs. Smashnova, and Srebotnik vs. Molik.
