Defending champion Myskina makes unwanted history in Paris

THE role of defending French Open champion weighed on Anastasia Myskina, as did her mother’s illness. And so her bid to repeat last year’s success ended in record time.

The No 5-seeded Russian became the first defending champion at Roland Garros to be eliminated in the opening round, losing yesterday to Spain’s Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.

Myskina was a surprise winner in 2004 when she became the first Russian woman to claim a Grand Slam title. This year she arrived in Paris with a modest record of 11-9, including losses in her past three matches, and she spoke tearfully on the eve of the tournament about her mother, who has been seriously ill.