Gaudio marches through, Likhovtseva upset

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) Former champion Gaston Gaudio marched into the French Open second round with a 6-2 6-2 6-2 thrashing of Croatian qualifier Roko Karanusic today.

Gaudio, the 10th seed who won the claycourt grand slam in 2004, ended a three-match losing streak with a stylish display on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The Argentine is in line for a quarter-final against compatriot David Nalbandian, the third seed whom he beat in the semi-finals two years ago.

Russian 18th seed Elena Likhovtseva, who reached the semi-finals last year, fared much worse. She suffered a 6-1 6-1 thrashing by Croatia's Karolina Sprem out on court 17.

Swiss seventh seed Patty Schnyder made light work of Dutch teenager Michaella Krajicek, winning their first round match 6-1 6-2.

The 27-year-old used her decade's worth of extra experience to good effect and was never troubled on a cool, breezy centre court.

Schnyder, who reached the quarter-finals of the claycourt grand slam in 1998, wrapped up victory in only 57 minutes with a crunching forehand winner.

The Swiss is on course for a potential last eight showdown with world number one Amelie Mauresmo.

Later today, defending champion Rafael Nadal attempts to break Guillermo Vilas's professional era record of 53 consecutive wins on clay when he opens his campaign against Swede Robin Soderling.

Belgian second seed Kim Clijsters, twice a runner-up at Roland Garros, tackles France's Virginie Razzano and number 11 Venus Williams plays Austrian Sybille Bammer.

Men's sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and American James Blake, seeded eight, also play their first round matches.

REUTERS PG PM1706