Testud tastes defeat from unseeded American

World No 30 Shaughnessy, who won her first WTA single’s title at Shanghai last October, rushed to an early lead breaking Testud’s first serve, before the Frenchwoman rallied to force a tiebreak in the opening set.

Testud came back to take the second, but her American opponent broke serve at 2-2 in the final set before breaking again to take the match.

"I had chances in this match and didn’t take them. I don’t have much success in this tournament," said Testud, who has been unsuccessful in her six appearances here.

Shaughnessy, who had her best Grand Slam result at the US Open last year, reaching the third round before being defeated by eventual champion Venus Williams, said that her improved play was due to a new-found maturity.

"Over the year’s I’ve got physically stronger and matured a lot later than the other girls, but I’m coming along and want to go all the way here," added Shaughnessy, who defeated top seed and world No. 5 Conchita Martinez en route to the semi-finals at Gold Coast in January.

Shaughnessy next meets Denisa Chladkova after the Czech player defeated fellow qualifier Ana Isabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-2, 6-3 to book her place in the second round.

Meanwhile sixth-seeded Huber, making her return to competition after sustaining a wrist injury during the US Open last September, advanced to the second round after downing Canada’s Sonya Jeyaseelan 6-1, 6-3 in 58 minutes.

After a rusty performance during which she missed several easy shots Huber said that she was happy just to come away with a win after four months out and felt comfortable playing indoors.

"It wasn’t perfect. I think if I can have a few more matches it will be better. But I’m just happy to have won this match," said the 26-year-old.

This is the sixth Paris indoors for Huber, ranked 17 in the world, and who was defeated in the 1997 final here by Switzerland’s Martina Hingis.

Huber next meets Romania’s Ruxandra Dragomir, who had little difficulty scoring her fifth straight win over Kveta Hrdlickova of the Czech Republic with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

The 28-year-old Dragomir, ranked 39 in the world, needed just 55 minutes to see off her 25-year-old opponent Hrdlickova, ranked 55 and playing in her first tournament this year.

"I’ve started the season well and am very glad to have won my first match here because it’s always difficult to come from playing outdoors to indoors and I always play better on clay," said Dragomir.

Meanwhile, title favourite Mary Pierce played her first match at home in France since her French Open win last June when she and partner Elena Likhovtseva of Russia won their opening doubles tie.

The duo, seeded No. 2, defated American Amy Frazier and Dutch teammate Caroline Viz 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-3.

The 26-year-old Pierce only returned to the circuit in Canberra last month after a four-month absence with a shoulder injury. “I feel a little sore all over, but it felt OK," said world No. 8 Pierce after the match. "The emotions and feelings out there were super. I’m very happy, it’s good to return to France."

Pierce, who received a first round bye, plays her first singles match today against Luxembourg’s Anne Kremer, who rallied to win her opening tie against German qualifier Andrea Glass.

Glass, winner of their previous two encounters, took the first set, but 25-year-old Kremer, ranked 35, came back to take the second and rushed to an early lead in the third for a final score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.