Top seeds reignite cash debate

BOTH Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova made light work of their first-round opponents at Wimbledon — before then reigniting the debate over equal prize money.

Defending champion Williams cruised past American qualifier Bethanie Mattek 6-1 6-0 in just 51 minutes.

Sharapova, the fourth seed, dropped just two games, winning 6-2 6-0, the 2004 champion simply a class above Israel’s Anna Smashnova in perfect conditions on Court One.

World number one Amelie Mauresmo was also in no mood to hang about out on Court Two, as she demolished qualifier Ivana Abramovic 6-0 6-0 in under 40 minutes.

It was an awesome display by the top seeds, and Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper has already called for equal prize money at Wimbledon, a move backed by women’s tour chief Larry Scott — and former men’s singles champion John McEnroe, as well as British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Williams, however, was quick to reject suggestions yesterday’s rapid victories gave credence to the argument for pay discrepancy.

“It has nothing to do with it,” the 26-year-old declared. “I like winning easy — normally it means I have played very well.”

Williams insisted: “I would say in my defence and the rest of the women on the tour also is that we are not involved in arguing the points of time spent on court, sets played, that is a moot topic.

“What it is really about is being treated equal as a human being.”

The All England Club maintain their policy is based on simple economic reality rather than sexism.

Sharapova, however, maintained: “Women and men should be treated equally.

“There is so much interest in women’s tennis today — I think the public enjoy the women’s play just as much as the men’s [play].”

Mauresmo, meanwhile, could have been forgiven for taking her placement on Court Two — the so-called ‘graveyard of champions’ — as a snub by the tournament organisers.

The world number one and top seed is a three-time semi-finalist here, but did not let any disappointment show as she outclassed Abramovic, ranked 192 in the world.

Elsewhere, Kim Clijsters was handed a walkover into the third round after her opponent Viktoria Kutuzova was forced to withdraw because of a viral infection.

Shahar Peer, the 20th seed from Israel, beat Ukrainian Juliana Fedak 6-2 6-1, while Lisa Raymond of the US moved into round two after Russia’s Yaroslava Shvedova retired hurt and will now play defending champion Williams.

Former French Open champion Anastasia Myskina saw off Cara Black of Zimbabwe in straight sets, 6-0 6-4.

There was a shock out on Court 18 where the Italian 11th seed Francesca Schiavone was knocked out by Britain’s Melanie South 6-3 3-6 4-6.

Mauresmo will play Australian number one Samantha Stosur in the second round after her 7-5 6-3 win over Michaella Krajicek.

Ashley Harkleroad will play Sharapova in round two, the American completing a 6-3 6-2 victory against Jelena Kostanic of Croatia.

Meanwhile, China’s Jie Zheng set up a third-round date with Clijsters when she beat Czech player Eva Birnerova 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 6-3.

On Court 13, the Russian number seven seed Elena Dementieva beat Sania Mirza of India 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 to secure a safe passage into the second round. Third seed Justine Henin-Hardenne, the French Open champion, breezed into round three with a rapid 6-1 6-2 win over Russian Ekaterina Bychkova.

Number five seed Svetlana Kuznetsova lost the first set 6-4 to the 30-year-old world number 41 Kveta Peschke before battling back to level the match 6-1 in the second. Kuznetsova, 21, won the final set 6-4.