Molik to face Clijsters

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:58

Playing her first WTA Tour event since retiring from the sport in 2008, Molik overcame a second-set blip to defeat Russian Makarova 6-4 1-6 6-4.

She will now face top seed Clijsters in the second round after the Belgian star crushed Italian Tathiana Garbin 6-2 6-1 in under an hour.

The US Open champion broke her opponent five times and was far too good despite serving five double faults.

Eighth seed Iveta Benesova was the biggest name to fall on the opening day of competition, going down to Andrea Petkovic.

The Czech took the first set, but from then on the German took control and closed out the match 6-7 (8/10) 6-2 6-1.

In other first-round action, American Vania King saw off Austrian Sybille Bammer 6-4 6-1, Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycov overcame Belarusian Olga Govortsova 6-4 6-1 and Melinda Czink of Hungary beat Czech Lucie Hradecka 6-4 3-6 6-3.

All men’s first-round matches were postponed until Monday due to rain in the morning.

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