New Haven Open 2012 Daily Recap: Bartoli, Safarova Cruise to Victory

Fifth-ranked Maria Bartoli’s straight-set victory and eighth-seeded Lucie Safarova’s victory because of a retirement highlighted the first day of action at the New Haven Open on Sunday.

Bartoli cruised past unranked Great Britain’s Laura Robson, 6-3, 6-3 in 85 minutes, asserting herself against the Brit in dominating fashion. Safarova was well on her way to victory over Varvara Lepchenko when Lepchenko was forced to retire at 6-3, 4-1.

Bartoli and Safarova were the only ranked players to see action during the tournament’s opening day. Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, although unranked, was able to top unranked Hungarian Agnes Szavay in straight sets, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, to advance.

Caroline Wozniacki, the tournament’s defending champion, will see her first action in New Haven, Connecticut tomorrow, as she takes on Ekaterina Makarova. Top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska received a bye in the first round.