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The first of three Sundays at the 2012 French Open got off to a perfect start for the seeds with Samantha Stosur, Lucie Safarova and Svetlana Kuznetsova registering comfortable wins in the women's event while Juan Martin del Potro survived an injury scare and a temporarily inspired opponent in Albert Montanes to power into the second round. The afternoon though was a mixed bag with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Venus Williams both battling back from a set down to register wins, while Andy Roddick and Jurgen Melzer were both shown an early exit. An exception to the tough afternoon was provided by fan favourite Ana Ivanovic as the 2008 champion handed out two breadsticks to Spanish qualifier Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino.

World no.5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was the highest seed in action today and suffered a major jolt as he dropped the opening set of his match with Russian qualifier Andrey Kuznetsov 6-1, but stormed back to win the next three in a row 3, 2 and 4 to register what can only be described as a typical Tsonga win. The French favourite will take on Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in the second round. The German benefiting from an early withdrawal from Brazilian Joao Souza midway through the second set of their match.

In what was a good day for the home fans, Nicolas Mahut moved closer to ending his Roland Garros jinx by winning what was just his 2nd match in 10 visits to his home Grand Slam. It was a big scalp for the Frenchman as he knocked out former US Open champion Andy Roddick in four sets, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Also making an early exit was the 30th seeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer, a semi-finalist here just a couple of years ago. Melzer blew a two sets to love lead against Germany's Michael Berrer, going down in 5 sets, 6-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. Barely escaping the upset bug was 18th seed Stanislas Wawrinka, a junior champion here in 2003. Wawrinka was also up 2 sets to love against Flavio Cipolla of Italy, before eventually prevailing 6-2 in the fifth. Spaniard Fernando Verdasco had no such worries, cruising past Steve Darcis of Belgium 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 to set up what should be an interesting meeting with former junior no.1 Gilles Muller of Luxembourg. Muller went the distance in his match with Igor Sijsling, winning a marathon encounter 8-6 in the final set.

The women had no upsets to report with 13th seeded Serbian Ana Ivanovic crushing Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino 6-1, 6-1 while 10th seed Angelique Kerber of Germany beat Shuai Zhang of China 6-3, 6-4. Venus Williams, unseeded at the event this year, dropped the opening set of her match to Argentine teenager Paula Ormaechea, 6-4, but recovered well to win the next two 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the second round.

Venus could run into world no.3 Agnieszka Radwanska in round 2, and that eventuality will be confirmed tomorrow when the young Pole takes to the court. Also in action on Day 2 are Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka.

Select Scores:

Women's Singles - First Round
(6) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Elena Baltacha (GBR) 64 60
(10) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. (Q) Zhang Shuai (CHN) 63 64
(13) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (Q) Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino (ESP) 61 61
(20) Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) 62 60
(21) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 46 62 62
(26) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Mirjana Lucic (CRO) 61 63
Venus Williams (USA) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 46 61 63

Men's Singles - First Round
[9] Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG) def. Albert Montanes(ESP) 6-2 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1
[5] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(FRA) def. Andrey Kuznetsov(RUS) 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-4
Juan Carlos Ferrero(ESP) def. Jonathan Dasnieres De Veigy(FRA) 6-1 6-4 6-3
Nicolas Mahut(FRA) def. Andy Roddick(USA)[26] 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-2
[14] Fernando Verdasco(ESP) def. Steve Darcis(BEL) 6-3 6-2 7-6(4)
Michael Berrer(GER) def. Jurgen Melzer(AUT)[30] 6-7(5) 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-3
Stanislas Wawrinka(SUI)[18] def. Flavio Cipolla(ITA) 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-2

File Photograph Copyright: French Open