Wimbledon and US Open champion Venus Williams advanced into the second round of the French Open at Roland Garros today dismissing German teen Bianka Lamade 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour. The powerful American second seed rushed to a 3-0 lead in just eight minutes and the tie looked as if it was going to be one way traffic from there on.
However, despite being overwhelmed early in the match, Lamade began to settle down and broke Williams' serve when the American hit wide while serving for the first set to go 5-2 and revive interest in the game. But the 21-year-old Williams held to take the first set 6-3 in 27 minutes.
The second set was something of a struggle for Williams, who had difficulty holding her serve, allowing the German back into the game, before wrapping it up 6-3, 6-3 in just over an over. "The first set I felt really good, but I started to feel a little bit tense in the second", said Williams.
Elsewhere in the women's draw, Anne Kremer moved into the second round of the competition with a 6-1, 7-6 win over Janet Lee of Taipei. Kremer now meets either Zsofia Gubacsi of Hungary or American Samantha Reeves in the next round. There was also wins for Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, she beat Cara Black 6-2, 6-3, while Elena Dementieva beat Adriana Gersi 7-5, 6-3 to reach the next round.
Filed by James Shortt
