। HILTON HEAD. South Carolina, Apr 3:

I Mary Pierce, play-| ing her first tournament in more than a month, edged Gigi Fernandez 6-7 (4-7). 6-3. 6-1 in the first round of the 926,250 dollars Family Circle Cup tennis tournament on Tuesday, reports Reuter.

Other players who won In the first clay court event of the year included Amanda Coetzer of South Africa who struggled past Kristie Boogert of the Netherlands 4-6. 6-1. 6-3, and Irina Spirlea of Romania who defeated countrywoman Ru-xandra Dragomir in yet another clay court marathon 3-6, 6-4, 6-1,

Pierce, whose ranking has slipped from No 5 to 13 due to a 1-2 record in the two tournaments she played last year, appeared wildly inconsistent at the start of her match against Fernandez, ranked 67.

Whether spraying hard-hit groundstrokes or barely covering Fernandez's frequent dropshots. the eighth-seeded Frenchwoman struggled to keep her game and emotions in Check.

Fernandez, relying on

strong serving and her barely less shaky backcourt play, gained a quick 5-0 lead in the first set tiebreaker. Pierce shaved this lead to 6-3 thanks to two nervous Fernandez double faults, but lost the set

on the next point when Fernandez nailed a forehand winner.

A calmer Pierce bounced back strongly in the second set. however, as her potent groundstrokes began hitting their mark. And as Pierce's game became more confident. Fernandez's eroded into a Jumble of double faults and unforced errors.

. Pierce broke in the first game of the aecond set and again, in the ninth game for the 6-3 set. on Fernandez's double faults both times. Continuing her focused play in the third set. the Frenchwoman broke twice more, in the second and sixth games to notch her first victory in two months.

"In the first set 1 was tentative. and losing made me wake up ahd realise what I had to do." Pierce said. "I said to myself. Just play your game, and I also realised that her backhand was her better shot today, so I started hitting to her forehand more."

"I feel very Motivated. I'm hitting the ball well, though I'm not moving great. It will take a tournament or two to get back." she said.