OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Top-seeded Samantha Stosur of Australia opened defense of her Japan Women’s Open title on Monday with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Japan’s Sachie Ishizu.
Stosur coasted through the first set in 24 minutes and made the only break of the second set to go up 5-3 before serving out the match. Stosur won here last year for her first title on the WTA tour.
In other matches, second-seeded Marion Bartoli of France defeated compatriot Julie Coin 6-2, 6-1, and No. 4 Maria Kirilenko of Russia overpowered Japan’s Kurumi Nara 6-1, 6-0.
Coco Vandeweghe of the United States beat Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia 6-1, 6-2.
