Passing shots

Stephanie Cohen-Aloro has retired from professional tennis. The Frenchwoman held her highest singles ranking, 61, in 2003.

Simon Reed believes that Petra Kvitova is the real thing.

If Caroline Wozniacki reaches the semifinals in Dubai, she will again be number 1 in the world. Paris champion Petra Kvitova was defeated in the first round today in double tiebreaks by Ayumi Morita, which clears one of Wozniacki's potential obstacles.

Recently retired WTA Tour star Justine Henin is considering undergoing surgery for her elbow. She is going to take a few months to think about it, and hopes to be able to skip the operation.

Pattaya City champion Daniela Hantuchova experienced dizziness during her first-round match against Anna Chakvetadze in Dubai. She and Paris champion Petra Kvitova were both defeated in the first round. Kvitova cited exhaustion and a painful stomach muscle.

There may eventually be night matches at the French Open.

In World Team Tennis, the New York Buzz and the New York Sportimes have merged. The new team will be called the New York Sportimes, and all but two of its matches will be played at Randall's Island in New York City. The other matches will be played in Albany, the home of the New York Buzz.

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.