MADRID: Serena Williams brushed aside Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-1 to open her defence of the Madrid Open title on Sunday, while Maria Sharapova beat Klara Koukalova 6-1, 6-2 in the first round.
In the men’s tournament, Novak Djokovic withdrew before the start of the event because of a right wrist injury that had already affected his play at Monte Carlo last month.
The second-ranked Djokovic said, ”I did everything possible in order to play in Madrid … but unfortunately my right arm injury has flared up again.”
Djokovic lost in the semifinals at Monte Carlo to Roger Federer. The Serb played with heavy strapping on his right wrist and was unable to serve or return to his usual level.
The second-seeded Djokovic was set to play against either Martin Cilic or Joao Sousa.
Djokovic said he will now work towards playing in his next tournament in Rome, which starts on May 11.
The top-ranked Williams, who has won the clay court tournament the past two years, hit 11 aces and broke Bencic five times to advance in less than an hour.
Williams will play Peng Shuai of China in the second round.
Sharapova, who lost to Williams in last year’s final, converted six of eight break points to take advantage of Koukalova’s eight double faults.
The eighth-seeded Sharapova will play Christina McHale of the United States next.
McHale bettered training partner and fellow American Lauren Davis 7-6 (2), 6-3.
Sara Errani of Italy beat Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 6-1, avenging a loss to the German in the same stage four years ago.
Errani advanced to play countrywoman Francesca Schiavone or Russia’s Elena Vesnina.
Errani broke Petkovic five times while saving five of six break chances against her.
Also, Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia beat Karin Knapp of Italy 6-1, 6-1, while American Alison Riske outlasted Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-2. (AP)
