European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 28, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                May 2007 stars and stripes Mideast edition Page 31 Serena get through rain David a stadium employee pulls a rain Protection cover Over Center court after play at the French open was delayed at the Roland Garros by Chris lehourites the associated press Paris Serena Williams struggled through the first set sunday before a Long rain delay Al Lowed her to regroup and Domi Nate Tsvetana Piron Kova of bul Garia 61 on the opening Day of the French the nighttime grand slam Champion was broken four times in the first and again in the opening game of the be fore she found her rhythm and cruised through the remainder of the Marat Safin was the Only player to Complete a match before persistent rain halted play for about the two time grand slam Champion beat Fernando Vicente of Spain 61 As rain started to fall at Roland sus pending other seventeen of the 24 scheduled matches were postponed because service credit Union so years of service we Salute our Brave heroes service credit Union honors the service men and women and veterans who defend our we consider ourselves privileged to have supported the needs of the military for Over 50 it is with great Pride that we pay special tribute this memorial Day to All who have sacrificed to defend our great Dan of Tamira Paszek of who was one game away from the Sec Ond round when rain halted her beat Aiko Nakamura of Japan Dinara Safina of Russia Defeated Yuliana Fedak of Ukraine on the mens Potito Sta race of Italy beat Ivo Minar of the czech Republic 76 Williams was somewhat thank Ful for the wet the australian open Champion pleaded with the chair Umpire to Stop play while trailing 54 with Piron Kova serving for the first set for the second but play continued and Williams broke to get to after Piron Kova broke play was halted with the Bulgari an leading Piron Kova held when play resumed to win the first and then broke Williams in the open ing game of the the bul Garian won Only one More game in the Safin hit two aces in his open ing service game in route to Tak ing eight straight before Vicente broke in the third game of the second its Tough to play with this weather because its its not its and then its very rough conditions be cause everything depends on the said who has not won consecutive matches since the 22ndseeded russian converted eight of 14 break and his Confidence showed in the first game of the third he at tempted a drop shot that was too giving Vicente an easy win but instead of trying to re Trieve the Safin turned his Back and walked away know ing he could afford to concede the i think i can manage to pass two Safin then ill be who lost in the first round last year but reached the semifinals in won on vice notes second a 30yearold Veteran who has been hobbled by has lost 12 straight tour matches and had to go through qualifying to reach the mens it was difficult for him to play at a Good level in order to beat Safin but you have to give him to pass the qual ies and to make sure and stick around when you Are 30 years old its pretty Tennis scoreboard French open Nacua sunday at Stade Roland Garros Paris purse million grand slam surface Cla outdoor singles men first round Marat Safin Fernando i Potito Ivo czech Janko Dusan 76 women first round Tamira Aiko Nakamu Dinara Safman Yuliana Serena Williams United Tsvetana Justine Henin Elena Vest