Schnyder swats aside Krajicek

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) Swiss seventh seed Patty Schnyder made light work of Dutch teenager Michaella Krajicek today, winning their first round match at the French Open 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 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. Former champions Gaston Gaudio of Argentina and Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero are also in action.

REUTERS PM BD1620