PARIS (AP) — Serena Williams returned Sunday to the red clay of the French Open, and this time there was no stumble at the start.
Upset in the first round a year ago, Williams channeled any lingering frustration into her overpowering strokes and drubbed Anna Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1.
Also advancing on the first day of play were Sara Errani, the runner-up last year to Maria Sharapova, and 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic.
Williams lost her opening match at a Grand Slam tournament for the only time in her career a year ago, when she was beaten by France’s Virginie Razzano. That was the most surprising in a succession of losses for Williams at Roland Garros, where she hasn’t won the title since 2002 and hasn’t reached the semifinals since 2003.
