Kleybanova, Bartoli win in style to keep glamour alive
Defending champion Alisa Kleybanova and second seed Marion Bartoli restored order and respect by winning their first-round matches in fine style in the BMW Malaysian Open tennis tournament at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort here last night.The US$220,000 tournament lost its highest ranked player in French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy when she was knocked out by Australian Jelena Dokic on Monday. And the organisers heaved a sigh of relief yesterday as Kleybanova and Bartoli remained in control throughout the proceedings.
Kleybanova needed just an hour to defeat China’s Lu Jingjing 6-1, 6-1, who came through from the qualifying rounds.
The lanky 22-year-old Russian, who defeated the now retired Elena Dementieva to win her first WTA title last year, will be up against Michaella Krajicek of Holland tomorrow.
Krajicek defeated Tatjana Malek of Germany 6-3, 6-2 to set up a date with the defending champion, who is playing as the third seed this time.
“Really there was no game plan as far as this match was concerned,” said Kleybanova, who had defeated Jingjing in their only previous meeting last year in Beijing.
“I went out there and played tennis to the best of my ability. Defending the title requires me to take one hurdle at a time and I will do just that as the players in this tournament are no pushovers.
“I have played against Krajicek several times. It will be no different tomorrow as she is also familiar with my game. I will just go out there and try to make it to the next round.”
French player Bartoli also enjoyed an easy day on centre court as she brushed aside Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6-0, 6-1.
Bartoli, who will take on Ekaterina Ivanova of Russia in the second round tomorrow, hammered away relentlessly in the second set and later expressed her satisfaction with the opening round show.
“I did not have to try too hard as it was not difficult. I was confident going into the match. I knew what I needed to do,” said the world No. 18.
It was also curtains down for another Asian player, Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugaran. She was blown away earlier by a rampant Bojana Jovanoski.
The Serbian won 6-0, 6-1 and will take on Urszula Radwaska of Poland in the second round.
Wildcard recipient Jarmila Groth of Australia defeated Sun Shengnan of China 7-6, 6-3 to move into the second round. Also winning her opening round match was Kurumi Nara of Japan, who got the better of Elena Bovina of Russia 6-3, 6-3.
