14 December 2005
Super start for Bartoli as she routs rival Koryttseva
Gulf News - Staff Reporter
Dubai: Top-seeded Marion Bartoli got off to a splendid start in the first round of the ITF Women's Circuit Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa yesterday.
The 21-year-old Frenchwoman had an easy day at the office by blanking her Ukrainian rival, Mariya Koryttseva.
Bartoli, who plays righ-handed and is presently residing in Geneva, Switzerland, will be eager to wipe off the bad memories she suffered earlier this year in Dubai.
As a qualifier, Bartoli defeated Gisela Dulko to reach the second round of the Dubai Open. However, against Anastasia Myskina, she was forced to retire due to left knee tendonitis.
The Frenchwoman, who turned pro in 2000 and had a career-high WTA ranking of 27 in June this year, had the most memorable moment of her career when winning the US Open junior, defeating Lindsay Davenport in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In the other match, Lourdes Dominguez Lino, the second seed, eased past Arantxa Parra Santonja in the match between two Spaniards.
Meanwhile, the Bondarenkos are having a great outing in Dubai. Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko, the fourth seed, breezed past Briton Anne Keothavong 6-3, 7-5, while her sister Kateryna also scored an identical victory over qualifier Napaporn Tongsalee of Thailand.
In a late doubles match on Monday night, Kateryna and another sister Valeria emerged victorious over Julia Schruff and Silvija Talaja 6-1, 6-4. However, their joy will be short-lived as Alona is meeting Kateryna in the second round.
Silvia Talaja of Croatia caused the first upset of the tournament when she knocked out the Japanese seventh seed Rika Fujiwara.
The Japanese girl won the first set with ease, romping home 6-2. However, the 27-year-old Talaja, who has had a lacklustre year, regained her touch to win the next two and the match to book a place in the second round.
Later in the day, Sandra Kleinova of the Czech Republic stunned Viktoriya Kutuzova in the first round.
The third-seeded Ukrainian made a brief rally in the second before going down in three sets, 2-6, 6-3, 3-6.
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