Williams and Agassi get off to a perfect start

SERENA WILLIAMS got the successful defence of her French Open title off to the perfect start on the opening day as she streaked into the second round with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Barbara Rittner of Germany to be joined by rivals Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Former men’s champion Andre Agassi also showed top form, taking his year record to 24 wins for only two losses with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Karol Beck of Slovakia.

Agassi now faces Croatian Mario Ancic, who was leading Chilean former world number one Marcelo Rios 6-1, 1-0 when the South American withdrew through injury.