General / Editor / 30 May 2007 /

Maria Sharapova is through to round two of the French Open after a straight sets victory over Emilie Loit.

The world number two eased through the first set but met stubborn resistance in the second, losing her serve on two occasions only to break back and force a tie-break.

The Russian's experience began to tell and she converted her first match point for a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) over the Frenchwoman at Roland Garros.

The two-time Grand Slam winner currently trades at 18 to win the tournament having been matched to small stakes at 32 and 7, with Betfair customers mindful of her recent shoulder injury problems and the fact that, on her day, she can mix it with the best in the sport.

Elsewhere former champion Anastasia Myskina crashed out in the first round, winning just one game, as Meghann Shaughnessy romped to a 6-1 6-0 victory, and the American will now play Svetlana Kuznetsova (11 to win the tournament) in the second round, who eased past Russian Ekaterina Bychkova 6-0 6-3.

Myskina has been struggling with a toe injury and admitted that she was never in contention in Paris this time around.

"The scar is really sensitive," she confessed. "I've been practicing for one month, and I was just thinking to come here and see what I can do with my foot. But it wasn't that good.

"I knew that I'm not going win, but I just want to see how my foot is going to feel during the matches. I have to play some matches anyway."

Justine Henin remains the 2.78 favourite to claim the clay-court showpiece with Jelena Jankovic on offer at 7.2 and Serena Williams trading at 8.4

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>