PARIS - Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova slammed the new Sunday start at the French Open tennis championships after both ran into trouble on the opening day of the claycourt Grand Slam today.
For the first time the tournament began a day early with organisers hoping to increase exposure of
the event.
Instead they attracted criticism.
Men's top seed Federer started poorly before overcoming Argentine qualifier Diego Hartfield 7-5 7-6 6-2 in the first round while women's fourth seed Sharapova, who is suffering from an ankle injury, saved three match points in a 6-2 5-7 7-5 win over American Mashona Washington.
Sharapova, who had not played for nearly two months, said she had been asked to play despite making a request to delay her first round game.
Some first round matches will not be played until Tuesday.
"I asked them if I could play later. The answer was, 'You're playing Sunday, fourth match.' Obviously, it's not in their best interest," the Russian said.
"It doesn't make you feel great when you know that the French federation, all they're thinking about is selling tickets, making money and about their players. I mean, you can't be too happy about that."
Federer was also unusually outspoken after revealing his appeal not to play on the Sunday had fallen on deaf ears.
The world No 1 had not played since his Rome Masters final loss to Rafael Nadal a fortnight ago and trailed 0-3 and 3-5 in the first set before eventually subduing an opponent playing his first match at tour level.
Federer is more used to winning finals on Sundays than contesting first round matches and he was not happy.
"I requested not to play Sunday, so I wasn't happy to play today," said the Swiss, who is seeking to become only the third man to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously by winning the claycourt event.
"I didn't want to be the guy who starts the tournament. I was never happy about that idea. I told everybody that I didn't want to play Sunday.
"I'm happy I didn't lose because otherwise I'd be very angry right now."
In contrast, France's Amelie Mauresmo, the women's world No 1 who has often wilted under the spotlight at her home event, was unflustered in an impressive 6-4 6-4 win over American Meghann Shaughnessy.
The Australian Open champion, who has benefited from a favourable draw, appropriately sealed victory with an ace and said: "It's satisfying for a first round, even if it was not the match of the century."
Men's third seed David Nalbandian, of Argentina, swept through to round two with a 6-2 7-6 6-4 victory over Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, whom he also beat in the second round of this year's Australian Open.
"For me I think it was a very tough first round," said Nalbandian, the 2004 semifinalist.
"It was not an easy one. I played against him in Australia and it was very tough so winning in three is good."
Nadal is due to play Sweden's Robin Soderling in his first-round match tomorrow.
If he wins, he will break Guillermo Vilas' 1977 record of 53 consecutive wins on clay.
Another Spaniard, Tommy Robredo is a potential quarterfinal opponent of Federer.
Today, the seventh seed and Hamburg Masters winner eased past Czech player Tomas Zib 6-4 6-2 6-2 in his first-round match on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Briton Tim Henman, the surprise 2004 semifinalist, was a 6-3 6-4 4-6 6-4 winner over Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen.
Spain's Carlos Moya, the 1998 champion, beat Juan Antonio Marin, of Costa Rica, 7-5 6-3 6-3.
- REUTERS
PARIS - Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova slammed the new Sunday start at the French Open tennis championships after both ran into trouble on the opening day of the claycourt Grand Slam today.
For the first time the tournament began a day early with organisers hoping to increase exposure of
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