Kuerten, Hewitt and Venus advance

Paris:

Top seed Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and American Venus Williams were the big names to advance to the second round of the French Open on the opening day today. Hewitt started his campaign on Suzanne Lenglen Court with a straight sets win over Brazilian Andre Sa, while Williams, seeded second, dismissed German teen Bianka Lamade 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour on the Philippe Chatrier Centre Court. They were joined by defending champion Gustavo Kuerten, seeded seventh, who maintained his record of never having lost a first round match on the red clay here coming away 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 winner in 1hr 33min against Switzerland's Ivo Heuberger in his rain-interrupted match. US Open champion Hewitt, who reached the quarter-finals last year, was made to work before winning 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 in 2hr 40min against Sa, who has never won a match at Roland Garros. (PTI)