PARIS (France): Chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, Serena Williams prevailed over world number 102 Kristie Ahn in the opening round at Roland Garros on Monday.
The American star left serving for the first set before the three-time Roland Garros champion won 7-6 (7/2), 6-0.
In the men’s section, US Open winner Dominic Thiem navigated a testing first-round tie against former major champion Marin Cilic.
An error-prone Williams, playing at the French Open for the 18th time, dropped serve twice as Ahn moved 5-4 ahead in the opener in a rematch of their first-round encounter at Flushing Meadows.
But the sixth seed forced a tie-break that she sealed with an ace after a 74-minute slog before charging to an ultimately comfortable victory.
“She played very well in the first set, it wasn’t easy for me and she hit a lot of winners,” said Williams. “It was important for me to stay focused.”
Williams, seeded sixth here, has not gone beyond the last 16 in Paris since her defeat to Garbine Muguruza in the 2016 final. Her last major came at the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant.
