Kuznetsova defeats compatriot Makarova

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia plays a backhand in her Women’s Singles match against Ekaternia Makarova of Russia during day two of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 27, 2013 in Paris, France. (Getty Images)

Paris, May 28 (IANS): Svetlana Kuznetsova won an all-Russian encounter with Ekaterina Makarova, taking her first-round match at Roland Garros in straight sets.

Kuznetsova, the World No.39, beat Makarova for the third time in four career meetings, needing 89 minutes to quash her compatriot 6-4, 6-2.

Kuznetsova, who won the French Open in 2009, next faces Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia. The Russian defeated third-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska in the third round of last year’s tournament before losing to Italy’s Sara Errani in the fourth.

Makarova, ranked 22 in the world, fell in the first round of the Grand Slam clay-court tournament for the second straight year. Her best finish came in 2011 when she reached the fourth round.