Madrid, May 12 (IANS) India’s Sania Mirza and Chinese Taipei’s (Taiwan) Chia-Jung Chuang stormed into the second round of the 3,500,000 euros Madrid Masters tennis with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Argentina’s Ma Emilia Salerni and Spain’s Silvia Soler Espinosa.
Sania-Chuang will take on second seeds Anabel Median Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual, who received a bye in the first round.

In the women’s singles, World No.2 Serena Williams pulled out of her first round match due to thigh and knee injuries, while trailing by a set 4-6 to Italian Francesca Schiavone.

The loss, Williams’ third consecutive one on clay, means she will head to the French Open, beginning May 24, without a win.

However, Williams’ 45 minutes struggle here saved her a $98,000 fine which WTA would have imposed had she failed to play the tournament.

“After the first set I did not want to risk anymore. I’m hoping to be ready for Roland Garros,” Williams said.

Eighth-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova rallied from behind to advance to the third round beating German Anna-Lena Groenefeld 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5).

France’s veteran Amelie Mauresmo sailed into the second round with 6-2, 6-4 win over Ai Sugiyama while Daniela Hantuchova staved off an initial challenge from Gisela Dulko to cruise to a 7-6 (9-7), 6-1 win.

In the men’s singles, French ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dispatched World No. 1 Marat Safin 6-4, 7-5.

Simone Bolelli fought off a strong challenge from Juan Chela 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) to set up a second round meeting with British fourth seed Andy Murray.

Spain’s David Ferrer started off with an easy the second round over Argentine Guillermo Canas 6-2, 6-2 while Swiss Stan Wawrinka thrashed Italian Marco Crugnola 6-2, 6-0.