New York, Aug 31: Seventh-seeded Francesca Schiavone overcame a spate of double-faults to beat qualifier Galina Voskoboeva in three sets in the first round at the U.S. Open.
The Italian had four double-faults in trying to serve out the match, but promptly broke Voskoboeva's serve to clinch a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory.
Schiavone threw her cap in frustration after the match, then smiled as she waved to the crowd.
Schiavone won the 2010 French Open before losing in the final this year. She had 16 double-faults Tuesday and got just half of her first serves in.
Voskoboeva, the 87th-ranked player from Kazakhstan, had 32 winners but 46 unforced errors. AP