Kuznetsova wins opener at Pilot Pen

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- French Open champ and top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova survived a tougher-than-expected first-round match Monday at the Pilot Pen, beating Zheng Jie of China.

The scores were 6-1, 6-6 (5-7), 6-4 in what shaped up as a major tuneup for next month's U.S. Open.

Next up for Kuznetsova will be qualifier Yanina Wickmayer, who rallied to defeat Alisa Kleybanova 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo advanced at the Connecticut Tennis Center with a 6-4, 6-1 decision over Ai Sugiyama. Mauresmo was the runner-up at this event four years ago.

Fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska also had to come from behind to down Roberta Vinci 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5). Iveta Benesova ousted Varvara Lepchenko 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 and Elena Vesnina eliminated Gisela Dulko 7-6 (8-6), 6-2.