Sharapova Has Easier Time Against Benesova

It was an easier day for the "It Girl." After surviving three match points in a tough three set struggle against American Mashona Washington in the opening round Sunday, Maria Sharapova was in better form against Czech Iveta Benesova.

Despite still not being 100 percent due to a taped right ankle, the fourth seeded Russian fought off the challenge of the 53rd ranked Benesova to post a 6-4, 6-1 victory Wednesday at Court Philippe Chatrier.

Benesova made a name for herself with a first round upset of Mary Pierce at this year's Australian Open. But Sharapova didn't become another victim. Instead, she overpowered her opponent, finishing with 29 winners to only 12 for Benesova.

The opening set saw each player trade breaks before Sharapova broke back for 3-2 before rain delayed the action. When they resumed, she held serve three more times and claimed the 42-minute first set on an ace out wide.

Though she had an easier time with Benesova in the second set, she still had to work for the victory, finishing it off in style with a forehand winner for her fifth break of the match.

"It is never easy. But you just have to adjust and be patient," Sharapova told the AP regarding the rain and unusual windy conditions which made it tough.

She'll meet Aussie Alicia Molik in Round 3. Molik eliminated Romanian qualifier Anda Perianu 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Also tested in the second round was top seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo. The '06 Australian Open champion held off 19-year-old Russian Vera Dushevina 6-1, 7-6 (5).

After having little trouble in the first set, Mauresmo found herself down 3-5 in the second set. But after holding to stay in the set, she broke Dushevina to draw even at five all. However, momentum was shortlived when Dushevina broke right back to give herself another chance to level the match. But a determined Mauresmo once again broke to force a tiebreak.

In it, she played steadier and jumped out to a 6-2 lead to setup four match points. But Dushevina wouldn't go quietly, fighting off the first three thanks to help from Mauresmo who misfired three of her 53 unforced errors to make things interesting. Instead of wilting, she played a smart final match point, using a slice backhand to draw a forehand error from her opponent to claim victory.

"I struggled a lot in the second set. The level of the game was not as high as I wished," Mauresmo expressed afterwards. "I was hitting shots but not building the points."

"But my experience, from a psychological and a technical point of view, made the difference," she said.

Mauresmo will next face Jelena Jankovic in the third round. Jankovic cameback to knock out 25th seeded Marion Bartoli 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Also advancing was 11th seeded American Venus Williams with a straight set victory over Finn Emma Laine 7-6 (2), 6-2.

With the action delayed due to rain, the match didn't get underway until approximately 8:15 PM Paris time. With it being uncertain whether they'd complete it, Williams struggled early on. Spraying many of her 31 unforced errors, she fell behind 0-4 before rallying to force a tiebreak.

In it, she steadied herself to claim the 57-minute first set and then played much better in the second set en route to the win. Williams finished with 38 winners to only 11 for Laine. Ultimately, that proved to be the difference in a match which didn't conclude until past 9:30.

Williams plays Croat Karolina Sprem next. Sprem was a 6-4, 4-3 (ret.) winner over China's Shuai Peng.

Also advancing was eighth seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova over Italian Mara Santangelo 7-5, 6-2. Ninth seeded Italian Francesca Schiavone posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory over German Martina Muller. Russian Dinara Safina (14) ousted Czech Hana Sromova 6-0, 6-2 while 16th seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova defeated China's Tiantian Sun 6-1, 6-3. Slovak Katarina Srebotnik (24) took out American Ashley Harkleroad 6-3, 6-2.

Other seeded winners included Patty Schnyder (7) and Flavia Pennetta (17).

A couple of seeds fell on the day. Ai Sugiyama (22) was eliminated by Aravane Rezai in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Na Li upset Anna Chakvetadze (27) 7-5, 6-3 and Julia Vakulenko stopped Sofia Arvidsson (29) 6-1, 7-5.

Frenchwoman Alize Cornet also was a second round winner.

The second round later today featuring defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne (5), Kim Clijsters (2) and former '04 runner up Elena Dementieva (6) all in action.