Serena stutters to round two

SERENA WILLIAMS admitted she was just pleased still to be in the French Open after struggling to shake off Swiss youngster Stefanie Voegele in the first round yesterday.

Top seed Williams was given an unexpectedly-tough time by the 20-year-old world number 76, although she has struggled with injury since clinching the Australian Open in January.

And the American certainly did not have things all her own way on Philippe Chatrier yesterday afternoon, particularly in the first set, but she did enough to come through 7-6 (7/2) 6-2.

She said of her performance: “I definitely didn’t feel good about it. At least I won.

“I think I’m still in the tournament; that’s what matters.”

Asked what parts of her game had displeased her, Williams added: “Across the board.”

Voegele was the better player for much of the opening set but the world number one stepped up her game when it mattered in the tie-break.

The second set began in the same fashion but Williams forged ahead with successive breaks before serving out the victory.

Williams will face Germany’s Julia Goerges in the second round.

She said of her next opponent: “I hit with a German, so I expect him to know her game very well.”

Third seed Caroline Wozniacki dispatched of Alla Kudryavtseva 6-0 6-3 to reach round two, where she will play Tathiana Garbin.

Fourth seed and two-time semi-finalist Jelena Jankovic cruised to a 6-0 6-4 win over Alicia Molik.

Fifth seed Elena Dementieva made light work of Petra Martic, winning 6-1 6-1.