Monica Piug, No.4 seedsurvived a stern opening-round test as she fired down, powering past WTA veteran Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-6(4) at the AbiertoMexicanoTelcel.

Speaking before the tournament, Piug who is Latin American’s America’s No.1 player talked about how playing in Acapulco felt a little bit like home.

The Puerto Rican said:“I’m really happy to have the beach right there – it’s in my blood, I’m from the Caribbean so I really like it,”

“I’ve played in Mexico several years, starting from Juniors until WTA. For me, this tournament is one of the most comfortable.”

Despite starting strong and coming off with a break in the opening game, Piug looked decidedly less comfortable as she battled it out against 2010 French Open champion Schiavoneon Cancha Central.

The Puerto Rican was largely frustrated by the tricky, deliberate and one handed backhand tactic employed by Schiavone. However, in the first set, the Italian veteran was unable to take any of the three break chances she created.

In the second set, after she had gone up for an early break, Piug found herself in trouble. Her nerves showed through as she faltered when trying to serve out the match. The Italian then snapped up a mistimed dropshot, thereby putting it away deep in the corner, thus taking the break back point and leveling the score at 5-5.

The two first sets were close and the deciding tie break was just as close as the duo. Piug grabbed the lone mini-break thus taking the match in straight sets after about one hour and forty seven minutes.

In order to secure a spot in the quarterfinals, Piug will be marching forward and would take on Daniela Hantuchova, winner wildcard. The Croat who was a set down against YaninaWickmayer came back to advance 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.