Two time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the second round of the Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem on Tuesday.

The Russian defeated Eleni Daniilidou, 61 75, in her Fès opener. “It was tough because Fed Cup was indoors and I was really tired,” Kuznetsova commented. “I had a little bit of trouble with my movement and concentration in the second set, but I’m happy to get through in two sets.”

Kuznetsova is a former French Open champion.

“This is my first clay court outdoor tournament of the year, so I’m looking forward to getting some matches in,” Kuznetsova said.

No.8 seed Shahar Peer needed five match points before beating Magdalena Rybarikova, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.

GRAND PRIX DE SAR LA PRINCESSE LALLA MERYEM – Fès, Morocco

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – Singles – First Round

(2) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) def. Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) 6-1, 7-5
(3) Petra Cetkovska (CZE) def. (Q) Melinda Czink (HUN) 6-4, 6-2
(5) Simona Halep (ROU) def. (WC) Fatima Zahrae El Allami (MAR) 61 ret. (GI illness)
Arantxa Rus (NED) def. (7) Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (9)
(8) Shahar Peer (ISR) def. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5
Laura Pous-Tio (ESP) def. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 6-2, 6-1
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) def. (Q) Arina Rodionova (RUS) 2-6, 4-0 ret. (left wrist injury)
(Q) Garbiñe Muguruza Blanco (ESP) def. Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 7-5, 5-7, 6-4
(Q) Kiki Bertens (NED) def. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 6-4, 7-5
(LL) Mathilde Johansson (FRA) def. (WC) Nadia Lalami (MAR) 6-1, 6-1

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