By Sean Bradley
Photo Credit: Corleve
(May 23, 2011) Francesca Schiavone, the defending title-holder from Italy, routed American Melanie Oudin 6-2, 6-0 in her first round match at the French Open Monday.
Schiavone's appearance at the French Open ties Jill Craybas' record of competing in 43 consecutive Grand Slams.
Schiavone will next face off against the Russian competitor, Vesna Dolonts. Dolonts finished up an extended match against Englishwoman, Anne Keothavong, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
The match between Edina Gallovits-Hall and Angelique Kerber defines the word comeback quite nicely. After floundering in the first set and losing with a disappointing 6-2, Gallovits-Hall came back with a vengeance, beating her German competitor, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Aravane Rezai, currently ranked No. 41 in the world, was upset by 102nd-ranked Irina-Camelia Begu. Rezai appeared lethargic throughout the match and was unable to capture a set as Begu ran over her in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
In another, quite possibly larger upset, Nadia Petrova, ranked at 28, was beaten by the Australian, Anastasia Rodionova.
The Russian played well in the first set, but lost steam after a 7-6 victory in the first set. Rodionova went on to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.