Mauresmo makes it through 1st round in Cincinnati

Amelie Mauresmo played her countrywoman, Stephanie Cohen-Aloro, tonight in the first round of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open, and she had to work to get to the second round. Cohen-Aloro won the first set, 7-6, and Mauresmo won the second, 7-6. It wasn't until the final set that Mauresmo took control. She won that set 6-1, breaking her opponent at match point for a score of 6-1.

Mauresmo's next opponent will be Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer.

Though the Cincinnati event is a Tier III affair, it is hosting some top players this year. In addition to Mauresmo, there are Marion Bartoli, Katarina Srebotnik, Maria Kirilenko, and Nadia Petrova, all of whom have advanced to the second round. Other players of note who are competing are Sabine Lisicki, Stephanie Dubois and Nathalie Dechy. Tamira Paszek was entered but had to retire during her first-round match.