Tennis-Myskina handed 38-minute mauling by Shaughnessy

PARIS, May 30 (Reuters) Former champion Anastasia Myskina's French Open challenge lasted just 38 forgettable minutes after she was embarrassed 6-1 6-0 in the first round by American Meghann Shaughnessy today.

Myskina, the first Russian woman to lift a grand slam title when she triumphed in 2004, almost skipped the tournament due to injuries and a wretched run of form.

The Russian probably wished she had not shown up after her painful experience on court 16 -- which was only her second competitive match of the year.

Myskina, once ranked as high as second in the world, is now floundering at 51 and has not won a match since reaching the final in Stockholm last August.

Shaughnessy's reward for the win will be a second-round date with another Russian, third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.

REUTERS AKD HT1648