May 29, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1428

PARIS, May 28: Venus Williams joined sister Serena in the second round of the French Open on Monday as heavy rain again wrecked the programme stalling Roger Federer's progress.

Federer was 6-4, 4-1 up over American Michael Russell in his first round tie before play was finally called off for the day around 6:00 pm.

Williams, aiming to take the title at Roland Garros for the first time at her 10th attempt, brushed aside the challenge of French youngster Alize Cornet 6-4, 6-3 seconds before the heavens opened again bringing play to a halt on all courts.

Already over three hours were lost at the start of the day as the miserable weather, which ruined Sunday's opening day's action, spilled over into the new week.

In the 90 minutes break that saw Williams make it through, there were wins also for Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek, who defeated Severine Bremond of France 6-3, 6-3, and in the men's for Russian fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko who coasted past Stefano Galvani of Italy 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.

On Sunday, eighth seed and the 2002 champion Serena Williams overcame a sluggish start to defeat Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria in three sets while top seed and defending champion Justine Henin of Belgium eased past Elena Vesnina in straight sets.

Elder sister Venus broke early against Cornet to set the pace and she never looked in any danger of allowing the youngster to claw her way back into the match with the help of the Parisian crowd shivering on the Philippe Chatrier centre court.

Davydenko, at a career-high fourth in the world rankings, blasted past the hapless Galvani, the match finishing in the pouring rain.

Asked what he thought of those saying he was one of the few players who had any chance of defeating favourites Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the Russian laughed and said he was not even thinking that far ahead.

On the resumption after a 90 minutes delay, Federer who is aiming to become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to achieve the fabled Grand Slam of tennis, swept into a comfortable 6-4, 4-1 lead over American journeyman Russell.

But with only one result looking likely, the players were sent scurrying for the locker rooms once again as the rain swept in from the west.

Shortly afterwards, play was abandoned for the rest of the day with just seven out of the scheduled 65 games having been completed. That mirrored Sunday's outcome when just seven games were concluded.

Also through during the afternoon's rain respite was Chinese No. 1 and 16th seed Li Na who ousted Sandra Kloesel of Germany 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 and Italian 19th seed Tathiana Garbin who defeated Akiko Morigami of Japan 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.

Organisers were facing a heavy programme on Tuesday with Federer returning to first round action against Russell and Nadal's opener against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina possibly held over to a Wednesday start.

Tuesday’s results (prefix number denotes seeding):

Men’s singles:

1st round: 4-Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) beat Stefano Galvani (Italy) 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.

Women’s singles:

1st round: 26-Venus Williams (US) beat Alize Cornet (France) 6-4, 6-3; Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands) beat 31-Severine Bremond (France) 6-3, 6-3; 27-Samantha Stosur (Australia) beat Jamea Jackson (US) 6-1, 6-2; 16-Li Na (China) beat Sandra Kloesel (Germany) 7-6 (7-4), 6-0; 19-Tathiana Garbin (Italy) beat Akiko Morigami (JPN) 7-6 (7-2), 6-4; Ashley Harkleroad (US) beat Aleksandra Wozniak (Canada) 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).—Agencies