Poland's world number three Agnieszka Radwańska opened proceedings on the Philippe Chatrier court as she breezed past China's Shuai Zhang in straight sets, 6-3 6-0.

The popular Pole is still searching for her first Grand Slam title with her best result coming at Wimbledon in 2012, where she was bested by American Serena Williams in the final.

Roger Federer made quick work of Slovak Lukáš Lacko in his opening encounter, surging to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory in just 84 minutes.

The Swiss great has not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam for 11 years, and this proved no exception, as he added an 11th straight loss on clay for the Slovakian, whose last win on the red dirt came in 2011.

Serena Williams powered her way into the second round despite a slightly uncomfortable opening encounter with Alize Lim ©Getty Images



Williams, world number one and the overwhelming favourite to retain her French Open crown, was pitted against her good friend Alize Lim of France on the opening day of action in Paris.

Despite a comfortable looking 6-2, 6-1 victory for the American, all was not as smooth as it seemed, with Williams knocking up 23 unforced errors in the first set alone.

It was the double French Open champion's incredible power that eventually saw her through as she powered past the world number 138 to book her spot in the second round.

France's best hope of a male singles champion rests again on the shoulders of powerhouse Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.

The French have not seen one of their own win the men's title since 1983, when Yannick Noah lifted the coveted trophy, so they would have been pleased to see their man come through round one unscathed, despite his 7-6(4), 7-5, 6-2 victory coming against compatriot Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga dispatched compatriot Edouard Roger-Vasselin in his first round fixture as he bids to become the first man to lift the French Open title since Yannick Noah in 1983 ©Getty Images
Another Frenchman fell at the feet of American giant John Isner as the big-server battled through to win a long three-setter 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 7-5 against Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Other seeds to make it through to the second round include Czech number six seed Tomas Berdych, whose best Grand Slam result remains his final defeat to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2010, Canada's Milos Raonic, the older of the two Williams sisters, Venus, and Germany's Angelique Kerber.

Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone has had a torrid last 12 months, with a straight sets loss to Croatian debutant Ajla Tomljanovic marking her fourth consecutive first-round defeat at a Grand Slam event.

The Italian won in Paris in 2010 but suffered one of the biggest shocks of the day as she was felled by the Croat who, at 21-years-old, is 12 years her junior.

Action continues at Roland Garros tomorrow with men's favourites Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic both taking to the court.

Australian Open winner Stanislas Wawrinka will also open his 2014 French Open account with Russian hopeful Maria Sharapova opening play for the women.

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