PARIS(AP) There's something about playing her first match as the defending champion at a Grand Slam tournament that brings out the worst in Svetlana Kuznetsova.
This time, at least, she was able to overcome the early jitters.
Back in 2005, Kuznetsova became the first reigning champ to bow out in the opening round at the U.S. Open. On Sunday, returning to the French Open as last year's title winner, the Russian appeared headed to another surprising loss, dropping the first six points and first three games against Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
And then, suddenly finding the target with shots that had been spraying out of control, Kuznetsova reeled off nine consecutive games, putting together a 6-3, 6-1 victory to move into the second round at Roland Garros.
Afterward, the sixth-seeded Kuznetsova said her quick exit in New York five years ago definitely was in my mind,'' and acknowledged that shewas not ready to defend'' that title at that time.
Nowadays, though, the 24-year-old Russian considers herself more prepared to do what it takes to succeed in a place where she's already won, to shrug off the pressure of being the previous year's champion.
I have my trophy at home,'' Kuznetsova said.Nobody can take it.''
This hasn't been the best of seasons for her. Kuznetsova arrived in Paris having gone 1-3 on clay, and with an overall mark of 8-9 in 2010, the only top-10 player with a losing record.
Not that she was too concerned.
Asked after Sunday's victory whether she was questioning herself lately, Kuznetsova laughed.
I don't doubt ... my tennis,'' she said.I would look very stupid (winning) two Grand Slams and doubting about if I can play tennis.''
Still, Kuznetsova did not look all that talented for the first 12 minutes against Cirstea, who is ranked 34th and reached the French Open quarterfinals last year. Kuznetsova double-faulted to fall behind 2-0, then put a backhand return into the net to trail 3-0.
Then, with the score 3-1, Cirstea went up 40-love on her serve.
That was a key moment. I should have stepped it up a little bit more and I didn't,'' Cirstea said.She was down, so she had to change a little bit. She went more for her shots and they went in, and I guess that was my mistake. I should have been more aggressive.''
From there, Kuznetsova smacked a forehand winner, followed by consecutive return winners off second serves, en route to breaking Cirstea, who noted later: ``It can turn so fast.''
Indeed, it did. Whereas Kuznetsova was broken in her first service game of the match, she won 12 of the next 15 points on her serve. Whereas Kuznetsova lost the match's first two points that lasted at least 10 strokes, she won the next 10 points of that length.
``She played good when she had to,'' Cirstea said.
Next up for Kuznetsova is 41st-ranked Andrea Petkovic of Germany. They've split their previous two matches.
Petkovic beat Elena Vesnina of Russia 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 Sunday, collecting herself after letting a 5-1 lead in the third set shrink to 5-4, a development the German described in the frankest terms.
Said Petkovic: ``It was hard-core choking.''