Venus stunned, easy for Nadal

Paris (IANS): Former World No. 1 Venus Williams became the first seed to crash out of the French Open as she was upset by Urszula Radwanska of Poland in the first round here. The American, seeded 30th, and the 37th-ranked Pole traded errors, winners and breaks to neutral effect, until at last Radwanska emerged the 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 victor after three hours and 19 minutes.

These two had met only once before when Radwanska was just 15. Now 22, Urszula's best result this year was reaching the fourth round at Indian Wells while 2013 has been blighted for 32-year-old Venus by a recurring back injury. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal reached the second round of the French Open after coming back from a set down against World No. 59 Daniel Brands. The seven-time champion was stunned by his German opponent's power, losing the first set of a opening-round match at a Grand Slam for the first time. Brands also threatened to take the second set, only for Nadal to edge it and seal a 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-3 win. The third seed will next play Martin Klizan or Michael Russell. "He was playing unbelievable," said Nadal of Brands. "I tried to find my game and tried to resist his fantastic shots. "He played a great match and put me in a tricky situation. I am very happy to be through in this match." Former champion Li Na also advanced into the second round beating Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain in straight. Li, the sixth seed, who held a 1-4 record previously, won 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 44 minutes over the 61st-ranked Spaniard. The 31-year-old Li won the red clay tournament in 2011 to become Asia's first Grand Slam champion.