TENNIS in DEPTH.

Marion Bartoli enjoyed a winning start to her campaign at the WTA New Haven when she beat Anastasia Rodionova 6-1 6-4 in Connecticut. The Frenchwoman accepted a wildcard into the tournament as she looks for more preparation before the US Open which starts in a week’s time. She said: “It was important for me to get some more matches before the Open. ”We can practice as much as we want, there are lots of practice courts.”

Fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska had a dominant 6-1 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Makarova. Radwanska will now play in-form Petra Cetkovska, who beat the Pole at Wimbledon, after the Czech qualifier beat Ayumi Morita 6-2 6-2. Eighth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova came from a set and 4-2 down to beat Vera Dushevina 3-6 6-4 6-3. Next up for Pavlyuchenkova is top-20 newcomer, Italy’s Roberta Vinci, who survived nine aces from Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic to grind out a 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory. Christina McHale, who beat world number one Caroline Wozniacki last week, followed that up with a 7-5 6-3 victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova. Polona Hercog edged Nadia Petrova 7-5 7-5 in a close match.

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