Safina, the world No. 1 Australian Open and French Open runner-up who turned 23 Monday, raced by Italian Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1. Olympic gold medalist Dementieva had it a little tougher, eliminating German Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the first WTA Tour event played on indoor clay.
Two other seeds reached the second round. No. 7 Dane Caroline Wozniacki beat Czech Iveta Benesova 6-3, 7-5 and No. 8 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada 7-6 (7-2), 6-0.
Tuesday's other winners were France's Marion Bartoli, Chinese Li Na, Argentine Gisela Dulko, Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova and Hungarian Agnes Szavay.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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