By Etienne Stekelenburg
May 25 2004

The French Open winner of 2000 Mary Pierce is through to the next round after defeating Claudine Schaul of Luxemburg in two sets 6-2 6-3. The Frenchwoman who lost her first round match last year had no trouble defeating the winner of last weeks Strasburg Open Claudine Schaul. Mary Pierce took an early lead and had three breakpoints for 5-1 but Claudine Schaul from Garnich, Luxembourg held her serve in the end when Pierce hits the ball outside the court twice.

On 4-2 Pierce held her serve and takes the first set 6-2 after breaking Schaul’s serve in 32 minutes.

In the second set Schaul is fighting to stay in the match resulting in a 3-1 lead. Pierce lost her second service game when Schaul converted breakpoint at 30-40.

Schaul was on her way taking a 4-1 lead. After 40-15 the 21-year-old Luxembourger hit two solid winners and takes advantage when Pierce hits a ball long. Pierce comes back after Schaul missed her chance.

Pierce was forced to defend but reached advantage when Schaul hits the net trying to volley. On advantage Pierce saved her service game after winning her point identical to the previous point, again she was forced into defense but again Schaul missed her chance and hit her volley into the net.

Instead of defending Mary Pierce choose to attack Schaul’s service. It turned out successful; Pierce breaks Schaul on love with a forehand winner.

At 3 all in the second set Claudine Schaul takes a three minutes medical time out for treatment on her upper right leg.

This seems to be the turning point in the match. Pierce held her serve for 4-3 and breaks Schaul’s service for a 5-3 lead.

In the 43rd minute of the second set Mary Pierce serves for the match and ended the 1 hour and 14 minutes lasting match with an ace.