Srebotnik powers into Paris Open second round

PARIS, Feb 6 (Reuters) Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik thrashed French qualifier Stephanie Cohen-Aloro 6-1 6-4 to reach the second round of the Paris Open today.

World number 23 Srebotnik will face Russian third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova for a place in the quarter-finals.

Later today, fifth seed Nicole Vaidisova takes on Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai in a rematch of their 2006 French Open second round, which the Czech won.

Swiss sixth seed Patty Schnyder starts her challenge against Russian qualifier Ekaterina Bychkova.

The four top seeds, Belgian Justine Henin, France's Amelie Mauresmo and Russians Kuznetsova and Nadia Petrova, have been granted a bye for the first round and will start playing tomorrow or on Thursday.

REUTERS DH PM1902