Safina powers into second round in Slovenia

Slovenia: World number one Dinara Safina breezed into the Slovenia Open second round 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 centre 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. Bureau Report