Strenuous start

Mauresmo has to work to win opener in Sydney

Amelie Mauresmo faces Jaslyn Hewitt or Amanda Coetzer next. AP

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- France's Amelie Mauresmo beat the Czech Republic's Daja Bedanova 6-3, 7-6 (6) Sunday in the only main draw singles action at the adidas International tennis tournament.

Mauresmo was run ragged by Bedanova in a tough first-round match before winning on a net cord on match point.

Her next opponent will either be Australian wild card Jaslyn Hewitt -- Lleyton's younger sister -- or South African Amanda Coetzer, who play on Monday, but Maursemo's thoughts are with next week's Australian Open, where Venus Williams will start as one of the favorites.

"Venus is one of the best players anywhere, there's no question about it," said Mauresmo. "Whether she's going to be unbeatable, you don't know that."

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