PARIS: Serena Williams advanced to the second round of the French Open by beating Kristie Ahn 7-6 (2) 6-0.
The sixth-seeded Williams served for the match at 40-0 but Ahn saved three match points.
An ace gave her a fourth opportunity to win but she hit a shot into the net.
Williams then saved a break point before finally beating her American opponent with an ace.
Ahn held leads of 3-1 and 4-2 in the first set.
The 39-year-old Williams is a three-time French Open champion and is looking to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles.
She will next face Bulgarian wild-card entry Tsvetana Pironkova.