By Chris Davies
May 13 2003

Former World Number One Monica Seles who has been troubled in recent weeks with her injuries returned by beating Swiss star Myriam Casanova Current World Number One Serena Williams also advanced at the Italian Open Masters, Rome Seles who hasn't played since Bausch and Lomb Championships losing to Henin-Hardenne used all her clay court experience to win after losing the first set 6-2. Casanova loked like she could win.

But Casanova who was coached by Melanie Molitor faded away after becoming tired but did put up a fight with Seles who has won the French Open on numerous occassions.

The 10th seed pulled away in the second set to win it 6-2 then rolled past the teenager in the final set 6-3 to advance into the second round.

Serena playing her first European clay court tournament and first since losing her first match against Justine Henin-Hardenne at the Family Circle Cup faced a determind Koukalova in the second round.

Koukalova stayed with Williams' pretty much through the match pushing her all the way at 4-4 in the first set losing it 6-4. The 72nd ranked broke the Williams serve at 3-3 but failed to consolidate the break and move further infront.

Serena and the Czech were also locked at 2-2 but the American picked up her game putting away Koukalova in straight sets.

Russian duo Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova both advanced with impressive wins as so did Ai Sugiyama who thrashed Paola Suarez. Magui Serna avenged her third round loss to Elena Likhovtseva at last weeks Master Card German Open by coming through 6-2, 6-0 after losing the first set.


First Round Results

(12) ELENII DANIILIDOU (Gre) bt Samantha Reeves (USA)
6-2, 6-4

(11) MAGDALENA MALEEVA (Bul) bt Silvia Farina Elia (Ita)
6-4, 6-4

Virginia Ruano Pascual (Spa) bt Melien Tu (USA)
6-4, 6-4

Dinara Safina (Rus) bt Katarina Srebotnik (Slo)
6-1, 3-6, 7-5

(10) MONICA SELES (USA) bt Myriam Casanova (SUI)
2-6, 6-2, 6-3

Magui Serna (SPA) bt Elena Likhovtseva (RUS)
4-6, 6-2, 6-0

Ai Sugiyama (JPN) bt Paola Suarez (ARG)
6-2, 6-3

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) bt Marie Gaineh-Mikaelian (SUI)
6-3, 6-2

Maja Matevzic (SLO) bt Francessca Schiavone (ITA)
6-3, 3-6, 6-3

Fabiola Zuluaga (COL) bt Alexandra Stevenson (USA)
6-1, 6-1

Emiilie Loit (FRA) bt (6) CHANDA RUBIN (USA)
6-2, 1-6, 6-3

(1) SERENA WILLIAMS (USA) bt Klara Koukalova (CZE)
6-4, 6-2