Majoli has a struggle to find her feet

Tennis

Karina Habsudova of Slovakia and Russia's Elena Likhovtseva suffered first-round defeats at the Family Circle Cup in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, as the clay-court season got under way on Monday.

Habsudova fell to Alexandra Fusai of France 7-6, 6-3, while Likhovtseva looked to have her match well in hand before Italy's Silvia Farina bounced back for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Ninth-seeded Iva Majoli of Croatia recorded a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Canadian qualifier Rene Simpson. Majoli said the adjustment from playing on hard courts to the slow, soft clay gave her some early problems.

"It takes time to get used to, especially as regards sliding on the court," she said. "It's easy to lose control of your feet. In the beginning I was a little scared, but I got comfortable later on."

Brenda Schultz-McCarthy had to battle to overcome Elena Makarova. The Russian kept Schultz-McCarthy on court for nearly two and a half hours before the Dutchwoman finally prevailed 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.