Solid start for sixth seed Vaidisova in Paris

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) Sixth seed Nicole Vaidisova made a solid start to her bid for a first grand slam title with a routine 6-4 6-3 victory over Switzerland's Emmanuele Gagliardi in the opening round of the French Open.

The 17-year-old Czech, a semi-finalist last year, battled through a tough first set before easing through the second to set up a clash with American Vania King or Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan.

After holding serve in the opening game, Vaidisova missed five break point chances in an epic second game, which included 10 deuces and lasted 16 minutes.

World number 110 Gagliardi, who has not won a match on the WTA Tour this year, saved two more break points in the sixth game but was finally broken in the 10th game as Vaidisova took the set.

The Czech then surged to a 3-0 lead in the second set only for Gagliardi to break back in the fifth game.

However, Vaidisova broke in the sixth game and though she missed two match points at 5-2 and another on her own serve at 5-3, she clinched victory on her fourth match point.

REUTERS BJR HS1632