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Third seed Petrova folds against Morigami

Posted on: Tuesday, 30 May 2006, 12:35 CDT

By Julien Pretot

PARIS (Reuters) - Third seed Nadia Petrova suffered a shock defeat in the first round of the French Open, going down 6-2 6-2 to Japanese Akiko Morigami on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Russian told a news conference she was hindered by an injury to her left leg sustained in practice on Saturday.

"I was really hoping my leg would get better but unfortunately I started to feel it again in the beginning of the first set," said Petrova.

"I really felt like my leg was just not responding and I couldn't move it as fast as I could move my right leg. That's why I was slow on the court and it was bothering me a bit in my head as well because I was thinking about it."

Petrova, who has won four titles this year, was unusually sluggish as she lost in little more than an hour.

The Russian missed the Italian Open two weeks ago with a pectoral injury and against Morigami struggled to create her usual power, allowing the Japanese to dictate.

Morigami broke serve twice in the first set and twice more in the second.

"I knew Nadia was a bit injured but I've just tried to focus on my own game," said Morigami.

Petrova said her opponent deserved victory.

"I must say Morigami played her best tennis today," she said. "I have no excuses."

Source: REUTERS

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