Bartoli posts strong first-round win

STRASBOURG, France, May 22 (UPI) -- Fifth-seeded Marion Bartoli dropped just one game Tuesday in collecting a first-round victory at the $175,000 Strasbourg International tennis tournament.

Bartoli had no trouble in eliminating Nicole Kriz, 6-1, 6-0, and advancing in the clay-court tournament.

Anabel Medina Garrigues, the No. 6 seed, also advanced in straight sets, beating Yuliana Fedak, 6-4, 6-3. However, 10th-seeded Nicole Pratt was upset by Maria Elena Camerin, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

Lilia Osterloh defeated Eva Birnerova, 6-0, 6-2, and Alicia Molik was a 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 7-6 (7-5) winner over Leanne Baker.

Also winning first-round matches were Tatjana Malek, Elena Vesnina, Aiko Nakamura and Tamarine Tanasugarn.

The top seeds at Strasbourg -- Amelie Mauresmo and Jelena Jankovic -- were given first-round byes and open their tournament play Wednesday.

The Strasbourg Invitational winner will collect $27,000.