Clijsters sends Sanchez Vicario packing

Misery for Moya
Spaniard Carlos Moya remembers the ecstasy of winning the French Open at Roland Garros just two years ago but he also knows all about the pain of packing his bags early in Paris at the $ 2.95 million Paris Masters Series and did so on Monday with a first-round exit to Frenchman Fabrice Santoro.

Former World No 1 Moya has slid alarmingly out of the picture since his Roland Garros exploit and his only title since came at Estoril last April, leaving him a modest 38th on the ATP Champions race.

Against first-time opponent Santoro, one of six French hopes in action on the opening day, Moya battled to land a first set tiebreak but his challenge then collapsed as the Frenchman ousted him 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-3 on a Centre court coloured bright purple rather than the usual brick red.

Qualifier Chris Woodruff of the United States has a tough test to look forward to as he faces top seed Gustavo Kuerten having got the better of Czech player Jiri Novak 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Second seed and ATP Champions race leader Marat Safin of Russia awaits Swiss qualifier George Bastl, who knocked-out French wildcard Michael Llodra of France 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

Earlier, Olympic silver medallist Tommy Haas of Germany, Spain’s Albert Costa, Magnus Gustafsson and Nicolas Lapentti enjoyed straight forward opening successes.

Haas, who next faces French 16th seed Sebastien Grosjean, was too strong for young Belgian qualifier and Paris debutant Christophe Rochus, winning 7-5, 6-4. Costa was similarly a cut above Alex O’ Brien of the United States, another qualifier, winning 7-5, 6-3 to book a meeting with British ninth-seed Tim Henman.