Safina powers into second round in Slovenia
LJUBLJANA (Reuters) - World number one Dinara Safina breezed into the Slovenia Open second round on Monday when she beat local prospect Tadeja Majeric 6-0 6-4.
The 23-year-old Russian, a late entry into the tournament, took only 65 minutes to sweep her 18-year-old opponent off the center court in Slovenia's plush Adriatic resort of Portoroz.
Safina dropped just six points in the opening set but had to step up a gear in the second after Majeric broke for a 4-3 lead.
The Russian broke back and then went 5-4 up before a tight final game, which she won with a powerful forehand down the line after five deuces.
In other first-round matches, Olga Govortsova of Belarus overcame Estonian third seed Kaia Kanepi 6-1 6-2, while sixth seed Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic overpowered Britain's Katie O'Brien 6-4 6-4.
Croat Petra Martic beat Germany's Kristina Barrois 6-3 6-4.
(Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic in Belgrade; Editing by Sonia Oxley)
