Paris, Feb 05: French hopes of a victory at the Paris Open Indoor Tournament were dealt a blow when Nathalie Dechy slumped out in the first round while an injured Amelie Mauresmo said her participation remained in doubt. Unseeded Dechy, winner of the first event of the season in gold coast last month, bowed out 6-2 6-4 to Japan's Ai Sugiyama.
The Japanese woman looked poised for an easy win in less than an hour when Dechy, down 6-2 5-1, fought back and saved five match points before succumbing in 72 minutes. Sugiyama, ranked 26, will face Mauresmo in the second round on Thursday provided the French number one has recovered from a groin injury.
Mauresmo, winner of the tournament in 2001, had the injury examined yesterday morning and said she would decide about her participation today.


Italy's Silvia Farina Elia and Swiss Patty Schnyder were the first two seeds to exit the tournament.

Sixth-seed Farina Elia, lost 6-3 1-6 7-5 to compatriot Rita Grande while fifth seed Schnyder was overwhelmed by Slovenia's Tina Pisnik 6-3 6-3.

World number one Serena Williams will start her campaign against Switzerland's Myriam Casanova today. Buraeu Report