OSAKA, Japan(AP) Fourth-seeded Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat Anne Kremer of Luxembourg 7-5, 6-2 Monday in the first round of the Japan Women's Open.
Schiavone had five aces against the unseeded Kremer at Ustubo Tennis Center.
Sania Mirza of India also advanced, eliminating fifth-seeded Shahar Peer of Israel 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, and seventh-seeded Melinda Czink of Hungary beat Ryoko Fuda of Japan 6-4, 6-4.
Maria Kirilenko of Russia was forced to retire due to soreness in her left knee after losing the first set to Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine 6-2.