PARIS, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Serena Williams, in her first appearance since winning the Australian Open, breezed into the second round Wednesday at the Open GDF Suez.
Williams, ranked No. 1 in the world, recorded a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Iveta Benesova to run her 2009 match record to 11-1. Williams will face Karolina Sprem on Thursday.
Second-seeded Jelena Jankovic also advanced to the second round by defeating Francesca Schiavone 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) on the indoor hard courts of Stade Pierre de Coubertin. Jankovic's next opponent will be Li Na.
Olympic gold medalist Elene Dementieva, already a two-time champion on the circuit this season, moved on with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Aravane Rezai. Dementieva is 17-1 this year, her only loss coming to Williams in the semifinals of the Australian Open.
Also making it to the round of 16 were Agnieszka Radwanska, Emilie Loit, Patty Schnyder and Amelie Mauresmo.
