Serena sails through, Venus crashes out

MADRID – Serena Williams marked her first European appearance of the season with victory on the Madrid Open’s striking blue clay courts on Monday, but her sister Venus crashed out in the second round.

Holder Petra Kvitova also started well as the third seed defeated New Zealander Marina Erakovic 6-2 6-3.

Towering Czech Kvitova beat Victoria Azarenka in the final last year before going on to win the Wimbledon title.

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