Crowd lifts Dechy to victory in Montreal opener

MONTREAL, August 15 (Reuters) France's Nathalie Dechy booked her place in the second round of the Rogers Cup after a 6-7 6-2 6-1 victory over Israel's Tzipora Obziler.

A clear crowd favourite in the predominantly French speaking city, Dechy rallied from the loss of the first set tie-break to comfortably prevail and she now faces Russian 15th seed Maria Kirilenko in the second round, yesterday.

Kirilenko suffered a second-set stutter before eclipsing Croatia's Jelena Kostanic 6-3 4-6 6-1.

Top seed Kim Clijsters, the clear favourite after the withdrawals of Justine Henin-Hardenne, Amelie Mauresmo, and Maria Sharapova, awaits the winner of the suspended first-round match between Tathiana Garbin and Stephanie Dubois.

Canadian wildcard Dubois was 6-4 0-1 ahead against the Italian lucky loser when played was called off for the day.

Italy's Maria Santangelo booked a second-round clash with seventh seed Martina Hingis of Switzerland after a 6-7 6-4 6-2 victory over Austria's Sybille Bammer.

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, seeded 13, got the better of French teenager Tatiana Golvin 6-4 6-2 while Flavia Pennetta, the 12th-seeded Italian, ousted Russian qualifier Galina Voskoboeva 6-3 6-1.

REUTERS PM RK1058