Serena and Henin-Hardenne cruise through
Top seed Williams, already the holder of all four Grand Slam titles, slammed Switzerland's Marie-Gaiane Mikaelian off the Suzanne Lenglen court 6-3, 6-2 in 1hr 7min to set up a meeting with Barbara Schett of Austria.
"It's always great to be back in the Paris sunshine," said a beaming Williams. "I'm feeling great mentally and physically."
Schett ousted last year's semi-finalist Clarisa Fernandez of Argentina in three sets to set up her meeting with the American.
"Now I'm on the way back," warned the Austrian, a three-time WTA title winner whose form has dropped this season resulting in opening round losses in most tournaments including the Australian Open for the first time in eight years.
"It's a great feeling after having had such a bad season, I could get used to it," said Schett after coming away 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 winner in 1hr 45min.
And the meeting with Serena does not trouble the Austrian.
"Of course she's the best player and it's going to be hard to beat her, but she's human and people can beat her, particularly on clay."
Henin-Hardenne maintained her recent form racing into the third round with a 6-2, 6-2 win in 1hr 13min over Croatian Jelena Kostanic.
There was a shock in store however for Hantuchova at the hands of US teenager Ashley Harkleroad, while Kafelnikov, the 1996 champion, admitted he was considering calling it a day after his 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 6-7 (0/7), 6-4 loss to Brazilian Flavio Saretta.
Hantuchova found her game briefly to level after the second set only to slide 1-5 down in the decider. When she levelled for 5-5 it appeared she had come out of her nosedive but 52nd-ranked Harkleroad, making her senior debut here, was determined not to lose her big chance.
The 20-year-old from Bratislava, whose recent slump in form and pencil-thin figure have given rise to persistent speculation that she is suffering from anorexia, crumbled in the face of the unrelenting challenge of her rival from Florida.
But afterwards Hantuchova had to run the gauntlet of questions about her diet and justify her pencil-slim frame, which has given rise to claims she suffers from anorexia she strenuously denied the claim.
Harkleroad, playing with a strapped elbow because of tendinitis, jumped for joy as she broke the Slovak's serve to win through 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 9-7 in 3hr 08min.
Former Australian Open champion Kafelnikov, the 17th seed, meanwhile said he was considering his future after his 3hr 55min loss.
"It's a disappointment to lose, the fact is I might not be back next year," said Kafelnikov who saved a match point in the fourth set to force the fifth set.
"Unfortunately it wasn't to be I was thinking just to get through somehow. He was a mystery man to me I'd never seen him play one shot," added Kafelnikov of his opponent who goes on to meet Spanish qualifier Galo Blanco, who defeated Argentine Mariano Puerta 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, in the third round.
Meanwhile in other second round action, Japanese 16th seed Ai Sugiyama beat Sandra Kleinova of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-0 and now meets 18th seeded American Meghann Shaughnessy.
Andre Agassi was forced to call on all his 17 years of Grand Slam experience to dig himself out of one of the biggest holes of his career at the French Open last night.
The flamboyant Las Vegan clawed his way back from two sets and a break of serve down against 19-year-old Croat Mario Ancic to eventually triumph 5-7 1-6 6-4 6-2 7-5 in a five-sets second-round thriller.
Former champion Carlos Moya of Spain, the fourth seed, beat Mark Philippoussis of Australia 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) to reach the third round of the men's singles.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
