NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Amelie Mauresmo dominated at times and struggled at others in a 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2 victory over Kaia Kanepi of Estonia in the first round of the Pilot Pen on Tuesday.
The former No. 1 is trying to round into form before next week's U.S. Open after battling rib and muscle injuries that sidelined her for several weeks after losing to Serena Williams in the third round at Wimbledon.
Mauresmo, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, rolled through the first set but had trouble with her serve in dropping the second. She took control again in the deciding set, though she finished with 12 double faults after recording six in the second set.
"Overall it was a good fight," said Mauresmo, the 2006 Wimbledon winner. "It is always good to go out of these kinds of matches with a win. I am happy physically because I am fine coming out of this match."
The 29-year-old Mauresmo returned last week at Mason, Ohio, where she reached the semifinals. She said regaining rhythm and confidence was never easy after a long layoff.
"I am definitely thinking the body is not holding as well as it used to," said Mauresmo, who has dropped to No. 33 in the world rankings after finishing last year at 17. "That's a fact and it is pretty frustrating, but that is the way it is."
Third-seeded Marion Bartoli of France avoided an upset by rallying to beat Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the second round.
Coming back from a strained abdominal muscle, Bartoli wasn't sure she would play the Pilot Pen before getting medical clearance. She thought the court was the place to get ready for the U.S. Open.
"I practiced here first and felt I could play," said Bartoli, ranked No. 13 in the world. "It is good to have matches before a Grand Slam."
Fourth-seeded Agnes Szavay of Hungry defeated Sara Errani of Italy 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
On the men's side, Germany's Mischa Zverev upset fifth-seeded Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-3, 6-3 in a second-round match. Also, eighth-seeded Mardy Fish held off fellow American Wayne Odesnik 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, ninth-seeded Marc Gicquel of France defeated Albert Montanes of Spain 7-5, 6-3 and 16th-seeded Victor Hanescu of Romania beat Denis Gremelmayr of Germany 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Second-seeded Ivo Karlovic defeated American John Isner 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4 in the first meeting between two of the tallest players on the ATP tour. The 6-foot-10 Karlovic is ranked a career-best 14th in the world, while the 6-9 Isner is at No. 124 after turning pro last year.
"I had never faced a serve like that before," Isner said. "I needed to return better, and I didn't. I didn't make enough serves when I needed."
American Robby Ginepri defeated 12th-seeded Agustin Calleri 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, ending a five-match losing streak against Argentines.
