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With pregnant Serena Williams absent, Maria Sharapova denied
an invitation and top seed Angelique Kerber a first-round
casualty, familiar faces are relatively thin on the ground in
Paris, and Muguruza's 7-5 6-2 win over Kazakh Yulia Putintseva
was greeted warmly by fans on the Philippe Chatrier court.
"She's my favorite of the big names," 26-year-old Amelie Brives
told Reuters, smiling as Muguruza hesitantly addressed the court
in French.
"But I hope Kiki wins in the next round," she added, alluding to
an anticipated last-16 clash with home favorite and 13th seed
Kristina Mladenovic, who must first beat American Shelby Rogers
later on Friday.
Fourth seed Muguruza, though, kept up her side of the bargain
with a dogged performance on the main showcourt.
Putintseva, a pocket rocket early in the first set, fizzled out
as the contest wore on and Muguruza turned up the power.
The Venezuelan-born Spaniard raised the decibel level as she
nosed in front, teaming each pummeled groundstroke with a loud
cry, signaling her determination.
With rain and storms forecast for later on Friday, Muguruza will
be pleased to have booked her passage with the minimum of fuss,
although if Mladenovic is her opponent in the fourth round she
can expect an entirely different reception from the locals.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
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