Pierce Powers Her Way Into Second Round

Former tournament finalist Mary Pierce wasted little time in dispatching Claudine Schaul of Luxembourg, 6-4, 6-2, in an Acura Classic first round match at the La Costa Resort and Spa.

Pierce won the first set as she broke Schaul at 5-4. After falling behind 40-love, Pierce won five consecutive points to secure the set.

“The first set was close, it was tight,” Pierce said. “We were holding serve and I thought I was giving her a tough time on her serve, making her work for it, so I felt I was coming close to having chances and opportunities of breaking her.”

In the second set, Schaul served to stay in the match at 2-5, but Pierce slammed a down the line backhand service return winner to lead 15-love. On the next point Pierce hit a forehand winner on an approach shot to lead 30-love.

After Schaul won the next two points to tie the game at 30-30, she netted a backhand and then hit a forehand wide to end the match, , which took one-hour and 18 minutes to complete.

Following the match, the spirited Stadium Court crowd gave Pierce a huge hand as she thanked the fans for their support.

“I’m happy winning my first match,” Pierce said. “Those are always usually the toughest as far as getting into it and just getting accustomed to the environment.”

• Pierce is ranked 29 in the world.
• Pierce is making her eighth Acura Classic appearance. She reached the 1998 finals where she fell to Lindsay Davenport. She also reached the semifinals in 1995 and 1997.
• Pierce now leads 2-0 in career head-to-head meetings with Schaul.
• Pierce won the Australian Open in 1995 and the French Open in 2000.
• Pierce is playing in the Acura Classic doubles competition with French compatriot Amelie Mauresmo. The will also be playing in the Summer Olympics in Athens.
• Schaul won her first career WTA Tour singles title earlier this year in Strasbourg, France as she defeated Lindsay Davenport in the final.
• Schaul was making her Acura Classic debut.
• Schaul is ranked 47 in the world.
• Schaul 2004 match record falls to 17-19
  

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