PARIS (AP) - French Open champion Li Na retired with a sore back against Tsvetana Pironkova in the second set of her opening match at the Open GDF Suez on Tuesday.
Third-seeded Li took a medical timeout while trailing 7-6 (5), 3-2 to have her lower back massaged and played a few more points before retiring.
German qualifier Mona Barthel and Czech Petra Cetkovska also advanced to the second round.
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Barthel eased past Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2, and Cetkovska beat Italian lucky loser Alberta Brianti 6-3, 6-3.
Fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic withdrew on Tuesday because of a left thigh strain.
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