Venus gets ousted in first match; Jankovic easily through in Madrid

No. 5 seed Venus Williams, the only Williams sister remaining in the draw before her match, didn't make an impressive start to her week, as she lost in three sets to Russian Alisa Kleybanova, while No. 4 seed Jelena Jankovic advanced to the next round by beating Daniela Hantuchova.

Williams was struggling in the first set, but managed to win the second. In the third set, both players were fighting, but it was Kleybanova who closed it out, winning with a score of 63 36 75.

"It wasn't a good first set for me. I was really flat, and that gave her confidence. After that she was playing for the win," Williams said. "I feel I'm playing really well on clay though. I feel good. I think it's important not to think too hard about this because I know I can play well, maybe just not every match. It's important to not beat myself up. I just have to focus on my next tournament."

Jankovic had an easier time on court than Venus, as she beat Hantuchova in straight sets, 75 62.

The only other top ten seed in action was No. 9 seed Caroline Wozniacki, who ousted qualifier Varvara Lepchenko, 63 61.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 75 62

Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. (5) Venus Williams (USA) 63 36 75

(9) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (Q) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 63 61

Amélie Mauresmo (FRA) d. (15) Zheng Jie (CHN) 62 75

Agnes Szavay (HUN) d. (Q) Aravane Rezai (FRA) 26 75 62

Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 64 62

Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Anne Keothavong (GBR) 61 75

(Q) Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. (Q) Roberta Vinci (ITA) 46 61 64