Intro:

Safarova recovers to sweep aside Rybarikova at the Portugal Open.

Script:

Czech sixth seed Lucie Safarova hit back with two perfect sets to see off Magdalena Rybarikova and reach the second round of the Portugal Open on Monday.

World number 26 Safarova was broken three times in the opening set by her Slovakian opponent but responded in style to pull off a 4-6 6-0 6-0 win in an hour and 40 minutes.

She won the last eight points, converted on eight of 13 break point chances and won 25 of 31 points on Rybarikova's second serve.

Safarova was coming off a dramatic loss to eventual champion Maria Sharapova in the first round in Stuttgart last week. Not only was it the first WTA match to consist of three tie-breaks in almost four years but at three hours and 23 minutes, it was the third-longest match of the season so far.

Safarova has pleasant memories in Portugal, having captured her first WTA title here as an 18-year-old in 2005 and having been a semi-finalist in 2007.