Chakvetadze advances in Luxembourg

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:06

The second-seeded Russian saw off France’s Mathilde Johansson a 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

Chakvetadze had the year of her life in 2007, capturing four titles, winning 59 matches and reaching the US Open semi-finals.

But the 21-year-old has just one title this season and enters this event after being eliminated in the first round of last week’s Zurich Open – her fourth first-round defeat in five tournaments.

Up next for Chakvetadze is either Czech Iveta Benesova or British wild card Laura Robson.

The other seeded player in action Monday, number three Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia defeated France’s Paula Parmentier, 6-2 7-5. She next meets German Sabine Lisicki, who needed three sets to dispatch Sweden’s Sofia Arvidsson, 2-6 6-3 6-4.

The top seed at this event is Russian Elena Dementieva, who opens later this week against German Tatjana Malek.

Although she failed in her attempt to defend her Kremlin Cup title at Moscow two weeks ago, Dementieva has had a golden year.

Along with winning a gold medal at the Olympics, the 27-year-old won the title at Dubai and reached the semi-finals at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

Unseeded winners on Monday included China’s Na Li and Shuai Peng and Italy’s Sara Errani.

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