Paris: Seventh seed Dinara Safina struggled to find her rhythm early on but eventually battled through to the second round of the 600,000-dollar WTA Paris Open here on Monday, beating Michaella Krajicek 6-4, 7-5.

 In a clash between two sisters of considerably more famous tennis-playing brothers, a solitary break of serve in each set sufficed to send the Russian through at the expense of the Dutchwoman.

Safina, who was champion here in 2005, made the most of a loose ninth game from Krajicek before serving out for the set at the first opportunity.

The second set followed a similar pattern but this time it was a poor 11th game from Krajicek that handed her opponent another break and Safina served out the match despite dropping to 15-30 in the final game.

The Russian has been in fine form this year, claiming the Gold Coast title last month by beating Martina Hingis in the final.

"This was a tough first round, she's a good player and I lost to her the last time," said Safina.

"I tried to stay focussed and just play my game."

Safina won a thrilling three-set battle against world number three and home favourite Amelie Mauresmo in 2005 before the French woman claimed the title for the second time last year.

"This tournament has always been good for me. The first time I came here I reached the semi-finals," added Safina.

"The people working here are very nice so it feels like a little family and it's really nice to always come back here."

The Russian was the biggest name playing on the opening day and did not let the centre stage get to her, upping her game at the vital moments in both sets.

In the day's other first round match, France's Emilie Loit out-lasted Eleni Danilidou of Greece in a marathon three-setter, 7-6 (9/7), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4.

Belgian world number two Justine Henin is the top seed and both she and Mauresmo, who have first round byes, are due to launch their campaigns on either Wednesday or Thursday.

Henin is playing in her first tournament since pulling out of last month's Australian Open due to personal reasons - she later announced she had split from husband Pierre-Yves Hardenne.

Eight of the top 13 players in the world are competing in Paris, including a strong Russian presence comprising five of the top eight seeds.

Tuesday's highlight will see Czech teenager and rising star Nicole Vaidisova tackle French hopeful Aravane Rezai, the daughter of Iranian immigrants.