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5/24/09 10:03 PM | Kelli DeMario
Seeds Marin Cilic and Radek Stepanek win their first-round matches easily Sunday afternoon. Gilles Simon survives as well, overcoming a tough test from Wayne Odesnik.
Gilles Simon (7) def. Wayne Odesnik 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
World No. 7 Gilles Simon had his hands full with unseeded Wayne Odesnik in the opening round on Sunday. The Frenchman clawed his way through periods of uninspired play, lead changes and momentum shifts to dismiss the American after three hours and 43 minutes. Simon played well when he needed to, securing five breaks of serve at key points during the marathon match. The No. 7 seed finished the day striking 58 winners, pocketing 62% of his second-service points. The 24-year-old, three times a first-round loser at the French Open, makes his way into round two for just the second time in five attempts. He faces American Robert Kendrick in the second round. Kendrick prevailed in a three-hour and 47-minute five-setter with German qualifier Daniel Brands, 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
Marin Cilic (13) def. Jan Hernych 6-0, 6-4, 6-3
Thirteenth seed Marin Cilic eased into the second round, knocking out Jan Hernych in straight sets early Sunday. The Croat took full advantage of a struggling Czech who committed 51 unforced errors on the day. Cilic clocked 30 winners in the opening-round battle, converting six of 27 break-point opportunities. The world No. 13, competing in his fourth French Open, surrendered serve only once during the 154-minute match. The 20-year-old struck half a dozen aces Sunday afternoon, winning 79% of his first-service points. Cilic moves on to battle Dudi Sela of Israel in round two. Sela came through his first-round match against qualifier Jean-Rene Lisnard 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Radek Stepanek (18) def. Gaston Gaudio 6-3, 6-4, 6-1
Eighteenth seed Radek Stepanek defeated 2004 French Open champion Gaston Gaudio in straight sets on Sunday afternoon. The veteran Czech looked solid on serve throughout the match, pocketing six of 11 break-point chances while dropping serve just once. Stepanek pulled away in the third set, building a 5-1 lead behind two breaks of serve. The 30-year-old earned match point at 5-1 on the Gaudio serve, securing a win after 112 minutes of play. Stepanek, seven times a Roland Garros entrant, completed the day with 35 winners and 23 unforced errors. The Czech captured 79% of his first-service points, 55% of his second. Stepanek will battle qualifier Mathieu Montcourt in the second round. The Frenchman reached round two after his first-round opponent, Yen-Hsun Lu, was forced to retire.
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