 Hantuchova is the most highly seeded player playing on day one |
Daniela Hantuchova avoided an early exit from her second tournament in a row, coming from behind to beat Aravane Rezai 4-6 6-1 6-2 at the Italian Open. The ninth seed, beaten in round one of the German Open last week, struggled before advancing to round two to face Sybille Bammer or Gisela Dulko.
With the top eight seeds having first round byes Hantuchova is the top-ranked player in action on the opening day.
After Justine Henin and Maria Sharapova pulled out Amelie Mauresmo is top seed.
The 27-year-old has won the event twice before but is struggling for form this year after a long lay-off with appendicitis.
Elsewhere, Ai Sugiyama beat Maria Kirilenko 6-4 5-7 7-5, Meghann Shaugnessy beat Emilie Loit 6-3 6-2 and lucky loser Michaella Krajicek saw off Olga Poutchkova 6-1 6-2.
The tournament's youngest player, 16-year-old Tamira Paszek beat its oldest, 34-year-old Nicole Pratt 6-7 (1-7) 6-0 6-2.
And tenth seed Elena Dementieva eased into round two with a 6-1 6-2 win over Italy's Maria Elena Camerin.
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