Venus Steps Onto Grand Slam Stage

In her Grand Slam debut, Venus Williams didn’t even bother to sit during changeovers. There’s no slowing down this 16-year-old rising star.

With her braided hair studded with white beads, her gangly limbs in constant motion, and her fierce strokes punctuated by high-pitched grunts, a new American diva made a grand entrance Monday at the French Open.

Showing no signs of stage fright, Williams lasted 2 hours, 37 minutes in defeating Japan’s Naoko Sawamatsu 6-2, 6-7 (7-2), 7-5.

After her first match outside the United States, Williams walked off Court One at Roland Garros to a standing ovation and cries of “Bravo, Vay-nus!”

“Everyone during their career looks forward to playing their first Grand Slam,” said Williams, who has played sparingly since turning pro in 1994. “Everyone looks forward to playing them, competing in them, winning them. It’s just what everyone expects in their career, and I feel the same way.”

No. 1 seed Pete Sampras looked sharp in beating France’s Fabrice Santoro 6-3, 7-5, 6-1 to get off to a good start in his latest bid for the one Grand Slam he’s never won.

Thomas Muster, the 1995 champion and No. 5 seed who has struggled on his favorite surface, rallied past Germany’s Marc-Kevin Goellner 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-7 (7-2), 6-4.

And defending champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the No. 3 seed, breezed to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over Martin Damm.

In women’s play, No. 3 Monica Seles swept past Miho Saeki 6-0, 6-3 and No. 5 Lindsay Davenport won 6-2, 6-3 over Joanette Kruger. Mary Pierce, the No. 10 seed, was jeered again by French fans after a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over unheralded Tatiana Panova.