Federer, Serena hurdle first-round rivals

PARIS—Back in 2006, when the French Open switched to a Sunday start, tournament officials asked Roger Federer if he’d be willing to play on that earlier-than-usual Day 1.

He said no—and they went ahead and put him on the schedule, anyway. Federer made clear afterward that he was none too pleased.

The French Open remains the only Grand Slam tennis tournament that begins on a Sunday, stretching 15 days, and there was 2009 champion Federer at the outset of the 2013 edition, a little less grumpy about being on Court Philippe Chatrier as first-round play commenced. Federer beat Spanish qualifier Pablo Carreno Busta, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3, without a hitch.

“I told them if they wanted me to play Sunday, whatever, I’m fine with it,” the second-seeded Federer said with a smile.

Serena drubbed Anna Tatishvili, 6-0, 6-1, while Venus Williams lost in the French Open’s first round for the first time since 2001, beaten 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-4, by 40th-ranked Urszula Radwanska of Poland.

Urszula’s younger sister Agnieszka, meanwhile, needed only 57 minutes to win her opening match Monday, beating Shahar Peer 6-1, 6-1.

Also on Monday, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova began their Roland Garros title defenses.

Nadal, the seven-time champion, starts against Germany’s Daniel Brands, the world number 60. AP, AFP