Vaidisova Highlights Day 2 in Paris

Breaks were scarce in an encounter between two of the most powerful servers on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, but Safina's return game proved too powerful, and the No.7 seed managed one break in the first set and two more in the second en route to the win, avenging a loss to the Dutchwoman in the final of 's-Hertogenbosch last June.

Safina is one of two former champions in this week's Open Gaz de France field, winning the Tier II title in 2005. The only other woman here this week to have hoisted the trophy is Amélie Mauresmo, who has won it twice, in 2001 and 2006.

The only other main draw competitors to take the court on the opening day were France's own Emilie Loit and Greece's Eleni Daniilidou, with Loit, a wild card into the main draw, prevailing in just under three hours, 76(7) 67(1) 64. Loit has fond memories of this event; last year here, she reached her first Tier II quarterfinal, falling in two tie-breaks to the eventual runner-up, Mary Pierce.

The last four additions to the main draw were also determined on Monday as the last round of qualifying took place. Ekaterina Bychkova, Stephanie Cohen-Aloro, Tsvetana Pironkova and Agnes Szavay all reached the 28-player main draw.

Two more seeds open their campaigns on Tuesday evening. No.5 seed Nicole Vaidisova kicks off the evening session against French teenager Aravane Rezai, while No.6 seed Patty Schnyder takes on qualifier Bychkova. (WTA)