Defending Champion Majoli Out, Serena streaks on
By Chris Davies
April 10 2003
Top seeds Serena Williams and Justine Henin- Hardenne were among Wednesday's second-round winners whilst defending champion Iva Majoli got knocked out
Anna Kournikova retired during her first-round match against Conchita Martinez after losing the first set 6-4 and 1-1 the Russian pulled a thigh muscle forcing her to withdraw.
The world No. 1 Williams waltzed past Madagascar's Dally Randriantefy 6-3, 6-0, while the second-seeded Henin-Hardenne held off Slovenian Tina Pisnik 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Williams looking to extend her winning stretch seems to be immortal now plays Conchita Martinez could be put to the test with the Spaniards clay court game.
The world No. 4 Henin-Hardenne, of Belgium, will next play against France's Nathalie Dechy in the third round.
Jelena Dokic of Serbia and Montenegro finally showed some form against Slovenian Maja Matevzic 6-1, 6-4 looking for a quarter-final clash against Serena Williams.
Surprise champion of last years tournament Iva Majoli was knocked out after a three-set tussle with Russian Elena Dementieva. Croatia's Majoli looked to record a straight sets success but was over stretched by Dementieva 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.
American Ashley Harkleroad thrashed powerhouse Elena Bovina 6-2, 6-2, and Argentine Paola Suarez used her clay court game to beat Anna Pistolesi 7-5, 6-1.
1st rd:
(15) Conchita Martinez (Spa) bt Anna Kournikova (Rus) 6-4 1-1 ret
2nd rd:
(2) Justine Henin-Hardenne (Bel) bt Tina Pisnik (Slo) 6-4 3-6 6-4
(14) Nathalie Dechy (Fra) bt Marie-Gaiane Mikaelian (Swi) 6-1 6-4
(6) Jelena Dokic (Yug) bt Maja Matevzic (Slo) 6-1 6-4
Paola Suarez (Arg) bt (12) Anna Pistolesi (Isr) 7-5 6-1
(13) Elena Dementieva (Rus) bt Iva Majoli (Cro) 3-6 7-5 6-1
(11) Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) bt Elena Likhovtseva (Rus) 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (5-7) 6-4
(1) Serena Williams (USA) bt Dally Randriantefy (Mad) 6-3 6-0
Ashley Harkleroad (USA) bt (9) Elena Bovina (Rus) 6-2 6-2
Jill Craybas (USA) bt Virginia Ruano Pascual (Spa) 2-6 6-2 6-3
(10) Amanda Coetzer (Rsa) bt Laura Granville (USA) 6-2 7-6 (7-4)
(16) Clarisa Fernandez (Arg) bt Maureen Drake (Can) 6-1 6-4