May 17, 2004
French Favorites Past First Round
STRASBOURG, France - On opening day, France's Severine Beltrame scored the
first upset at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, knocking off No. 7 seed
Maria Sanchez Lorenzo in three sets.
Beltrame is playing in only her second WTA Tour main draw event this year but
recently won a $75,000 ITF event in France two weeks ago. Sanchez-Lorenzo,
ranked No. 35, squeaked out the first set in a tiebreak, but the Frenchwomen,
ranked No. 94, rebounded to win 76(6) 64 61.
Beltrame will now face up-and-comer Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic.
The 18-year-old Strycova also overcame a higher-ranked opponent, Tamarine
Tanasugarn, in three sets, 62 67(5) 63.
Monday's other French winner was 19-year-old Marion Bartoli (pictured) over
former top-tenner Barbara Schett, 63 26 64. Bartoli's gutsy three-set victory
sets up a clash with top seed Lindsay Davenport, who is returning to the clay
after a four-week break. The American has already won on clay this year at
the Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Fla. and is now warming up
for next week's Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the year.
Another American warming up in Strasbourg is Laura Granville, who nabbed her
first win on clay this year, beating Kristina Brandi 61 76(5).
Switzerland was not so lucky on Monday with its only representatives falling
in three-setters on the first day. Marie-Gayanay Mikaelian made the first
Swiss exit, losing to Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues, 64 36 64. Soon
afterwards, Japan's Akiko Morigami eliminated Timea Bacsinszky, 76(6) 46 63.
Morigami's compatriot, Saori Obata, was not so effective, dropping to
Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik, 63 64.
Tuesday's center court action features another Slovenian, Tina Pisnik, going up
against Conchita Martinez Granados. No. 6 seed Dinara Safina takes on
Milagros Sequera, and No. 3 seed Silvia Farina Elia opposes Henrieta Nagyova
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