CINCINNATI, July 17 (UPI) -- Top seed and defending champion Patty Schnyder of Switzerland avoided a first-round upset Monday at the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open.
Schnyder dropped her first set in the Cincinnati tournament to American Lilia Osterloh and had a close third set but posted a 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) victory.
Finn Emma Laine and American Amy Frazier, also advanced out of the opening round on Monday. Laine beatt Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-3, 6-1, and Frazier beat American Jessica Kirkland 6-3, 6-4.
This tournament marks the return of American Serena Williams to the tour. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who has not played since the Australian Open in January, will face second-seeded 2004 French Open champ Anastasia Myskina in round one.
