Russian Maria Sharapova advanced out of the first round Monday at the $2 million Rogers Cup in Toronto. Sharapova defeated countrywoman Nadia Petrova, the 10th-seed, 6-3, 6-4.

Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai was a winner and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was upset Monday at the Palermo International. Italy's Alberta Brianti defeated Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 4-0, as the promising Russian retired with a right shoulder injury during the second set. Rezai rolled over Kazakhstan's Galina

World No.

Aravane Rezai of France posted a straight-set victory over Czech Lucie Hradecka Saturday to win the Strasbourg International women's tennis event. Rezai had a 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 victory for her first career WTA singles crown.

Czech Lucie Hradecka and France's Aravane Rezai will clash for the championship in the Strasbourg International tennis event, a tuneup for the French Open. Both players are unseeded at Strasbourg and seeking a first title on the WTA Tour. In Friday's semifinals, Hradecka was cruising against Ayume Morita 6-0, 1-0 when the Japanese player pulled out of the match with a thigh injury, and Rezai dominated Ukrainian qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzova 6-2, 6-2. The French player is ranked No.