Serena and Henin-Hardenne cruise through

DEFENDING champion Serena Williams raced into the third round of the French Open along with Belgian fourth seed Justine Henin-Hardenne. However, Slovak ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova and former champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov headed for the exit.

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."