Former champion Maria Sharapova made a rain-delayed start but quickly made up for lost time at the French Open with a 6—1, 6—2 opening victory over fellow Russian Ksenia Pervak, which took just 61 minutes on Monday.
The seventh seed who lifted the title in 2012 and played the 2013 final against Serena Williams, was joined in the second round by Italian 12th seed Flavia Pennetta, who put out Patricia Mayr-Achleitner of Austria 6—2, 6—2.
The start of play at Roland Garros was delayed by just over an hour due to drizzle which was expected to return. But conditions dried enough to let matches begin on 15 courts under leaden skies.
Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki, seeded 16th, began with a win over Fiona Ferro of France 6—1, 7—5 while fellow German Mona Barthel beat Karin Knapp 6—4, 6—0.
Sharapova, who came to Paris with a substantial 12—1 clay record this season after titles in Stuttgart and Madrid, won her 40th match at a grand slam.
The LA—based world number eight claimed 12 of the last 13 points of the opening set against the 156th—ranked qualifier, producing 17 winners and the same number of unforced errors. She broke on five of nine chances in the brief outing Sharapova, 27, is playing Paris for the 12th time.
Shortly after Sharapova’s match ended, and shortly after Novak Djokovic’s match started, the rain returned and play was suspended. Djokovic was leading Joao Sousa of Portugal 4—1 when play was halted.
Ninth-seeded Kei Nishikori was knocked out at the first step, losing to Martin Klizan of Slovakia 7—6 (4), 6—1, 6—2.
Nishikori came into the tournament after winning his first clay—court title in Barcelona last month and then reaching the final in Madrid against Rafael Nadal where he had to retire with a back injury.
Nishikori, the highest—ranked Japanese man in history, is No. 10 in the world, one spot lower than his career high.
France’s Kenny de Schepper advanced when Spain’s Albert Montanes rolled his ankle and had to retire trailing 3—1.
Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal was due for a puzzling late-afternoon match on the secondary Lenglen showcourt against American qualifier Robby Ginepri.
The Nadal camp was understood to be displeased with both the timing and venue, taking it as a lack of respect for the clay specialist from Spain.
Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka, seeded third, was due to play on Chatrier against Spaniard Guillermo Garcia—Lopez.
