Venus wins 1st round at rainy French Open

PARIS, May 28 (UPI) -- Venus Williams scored a first-round victory on a rainy Monday at the 2007 French Open.

More than 30 women's matches were either suspended or postponed because of inclement weather, after rain also caused trouble for Sunday's opening-day women's schedule.

The former world No. 1 Williams beat 17-year-old French wild card Alize Cornet, 6-4, 6-3, in 88 minutes in a match that was originally postponed Sunday.

Williams, 26, is a five-time major titlist and was the 2002 French Open runner-up to her younger sister Serena.

Chinese Na Li won, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0, against German Sandra Kloesel; and Italian Tathiana Garbin defeated Japan's Akiko Morigami, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.

Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek beat Severine Bremond, 6-3, 6-3; and Australian Samantha Stosur defeated American Jamea Jackson, 6-1, 6-2.