By Chris Davies
April 29 2003

Anna Pistolesi of Israel cruised past former world number 7 and unseeded Austrian Barbara Schett 6-4, 6-2, in first-round action Monday of the $700,000 J&S Cup at Warszawianka Tennis Centre Barbara Schett said last year that she wanted to concentrate on her tennis after her slump in ranking due to media interest and becoming the new Anna Kournikova of the tennis world. Pistolesi will play either Jill Craybas or Germany's Anca Barna.

Venus Williams is the top seed and will regain her world number 2 status at end of the week. The other seeds feature Amelie Mauresmo, Jelena Dokic and Daniela Hantuchova. The winner will receive $103,500.

The defending champion, Elena Bovina of Russia, is not competing in this year's event. Eighth-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain, the 1998 winner, was forced to withdraw due to tendinitis in her right shoulder.

First Round Result

(7) A PISTOLESI (ISR) bt B Schett (AUT)
6-4, 6-2