MADRID — Second-seeded Simona Halep and Venus Williams both lost in the opening round of the Madrid Open on Sunday, while top-seeded Serena Williams had a trouble-free debut.
Defending champion Maria Sharapova also advanced after beating Timea Bacsinszky 6-2, 6-3.
Halep, a finalist both in Madrid and at the French Open last year, failed to convert two set points in the first set before losing 7-6 (6), 6-3 to Alize Cornet of France.
Serena Williams defeated American Madison Brengle 6-0, 6-1 after breaking her six times to wrap her 24th straight win in less than an hour.