French Open 2013: Serena Williams overpowers Anna Tatishvili – advances to 2nd round

Serena Williams in action against Anna Tatishvili in the first round of the French Open, Sunday May 26 2013. PHOTO/AP

Serena Williams returned Sunday to the red clay of the French Open, and this time unlike last year there was no stumble at the start.

Williams channeled any lingering frustration into her overpowering strokes and thoroughly dominated Anna Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1.

Williams lost her opening match at a Grand Slam tournament for the only time in her career a year ago, when she was beaten by France’s Virginie Razzano.

That was the most surprising in a succession of losses for Williams at Roland Garros, where she hasn’t won the title since 2002 and hasn’t reached the semifinals since 2003.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press