Serena Williams through to the French Open second round


The world number one was crowned champion for a second time at Roland Garros 12 months ago, and wasted little time on the famous Paris clay in the first-round clash against the Frenchwoman, wrapping up the win in 80 minutes.

Despite the seemingly easy nature of the win, Williams will be keen to avoid a repeat of the errors that occurred throughout the match, though it is hard to imagine the 17-time grand slam winner will not improve as the tournament progresses.

Williams engineered the first break of serve in just the fourth game of the contest, a superb backhand return drawing her level at 30-30 before another backhand volley brought up break point. Lim was able to take the game to deuce, but Williams moved into a 3-1 lead by breaking at the second opportunity.

The Philippe Chatrier crowd were lending their support to underdog Lim, and the 23-year-old – making her French Open debut – held her own on Williams’ next two service games, but each time her more illustrious opponent managed to shake off errors to hold.

Serving to stay in the set at 5-2 down, Lim fended off a break point and had advantage, but ultimately Williams was able to take the opener without being at her fluent best.

Williams was far more assured in the second, and she soon had a 3-0 lead.

A hold apiece followed before Williams orchestrated a double-break 5-1 lead, though it took four break-point chances to do so.

That gave Williams the chance to serve out for the match, but once more she struggled to get over the line, as four match-points came and went.

Eventually, however, Williams wrapped up the match at the fifth time of asking as Lim placed a forehand long.

Williams will no doubt look to improve in round two, where she faces the winner of the match between Grace Min and Garbine Muguruza.

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