Serena Williams, who has won the French Open three times, has been struggling with injury and is now approaching two and a half years without a slam – her last coming at the Australian Open in 2017.
She battled back from a set down to win 2-6 6-1 6-0 against world No.83 Vitalia Diatchenko.
Williams has only managed one tune up match on clay before arriving in Paris due to a knee injury.
And she admits her preparation has effected her confidence.
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“I was worried about playing this match and am relieved to have come through it in the end,” said the No.10 seed.
“I didn’t play great but I’m happy I got through it. I knew that I couldn’t get worse. I just had to hang in there.
“I’m a little upset because I have been practising extremely well. I am just going to maybe take a deep breath. I think I was also a little nervous today.”
Three-time champion Williams has only ever lost once in 71 opening round matches at Grand Slams – to Virginie Razzano here in 2012.
And now into round two she even confessed she considered pulling out of the tournament after a knee injury in Rome.
“It crossed my mind every day [to pull out], but I’m here. And to do the best that I can do,” he said.
“Physically I felt pretty good. Yeah, I’ve had a lot of injuries. I’m usually not an injured player. But I sprained my ankle in Australia and everything went downhill from there.
“I think I’m finally on the mend. But yeah, it’s been a really interesting year for me thus far.
“I mean, there is only one way for me to enjoy it here. I don’t enjoy places when I don’t win, so that’s why I like playing in all four Grand Slams.”