(May 26, 2013) - For sisters Serena and Venus Williams, it was a tale of two very different careers at the moment as one rolled while the other struggled during the opening day of the 2013 French Open.
Top seed and World No. 1
Serena Williams, looking to erase the disappointment of her shock opening round loss last year at the event, had little trouble today against
Anna Tatishvili of Georgia. Williams took hold of the first set in just 20 minutes as her opponent could do little to stop her.
Tatishvili was visibly frustrated with Williams and her all-court prowess that mixed power and control at just the right moments. Williams, who hit 27 winners, often fist pumped during the match just to show how much she wanted to win and get through to the second round for the first time since 2010.
In a quick 50 minutes, Williams wrapped up a comprehensive 6-0, 6-1 win. Williams celebrated with two twirls on the red clay followed by giving her post-match interview in French proving that she feels quite at home in Paris.
For Serena's older sister who played later in the day, it was quite a different story as No. 30 seed
Venus Williams faced off against
Urszula Radwanska.
Radwanska took the first set in a tiebreak but found herself in a neck and neck second set with several lead changes. Once again a tiebreak was needed with Radwanska jumping out to a 4-0 lead. But Williams surged to take the next seven points as she claimed the tiebreak and forced a deciding set.
With the Paris dusk causing light to dim on the grounds, Radwanska pounced early to take a 3-0 lead. Soon she held a 5-2 advantage and served for the match. But Williams broke back and then held her own serve to force Radwanska to serve for it again at 5-4. Williams fought off one match point, but finally it was Radwanska who prevailed 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 in over three hours.
Despite showing signs of physical struggle through the latter stages of the over three hour match, Venus Williams in her post-match press conference didn't let on if this might be her final visit to Paris.
"If that was my last match in Paris, I would let you know. That's how I work. I'm not just playing for me anymore," said Williams.
Puig Notches First Upset By Taking Out Petrova
Earlier in the day, 19-year-old
Monica Puig outlasted former French Open semifinalist No. 11 seed
Nadia Petrova in a three set showdown on Court 2. Despite all the years of experience of the 30-year-old Petrova, Puig hung tough in the latter stages of the close contest. On her third match point, Petrova sent a final groundstroke long that gave Puig her first main draw Grand Slam career win 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Other winners on the day included No. 5 seed
Sara Errani, No. 14 seed
Ana Ivanovic and No. 19 seed
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.