Serena Williams (USA) in action during her match against Kristie Ahn (USA) on day two of the 2020 French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Serena Williams cruises to French Open first-round win

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/28/20

Serena Williams cruised past fellow American Kristie Ahn 7-6 (2), 6-0 on Monday to win her first-round French Open matchup.

Williams, who turned 39 years old on Saturday, is attempting to match Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles with a successful run at Roland Garros.

Williams toppled Ahn when the two met at the US Open earlier this month.

Monday's result wasn't completely without dramatics. As Eleanor Cooks of PA Media (h/t Yahoo Sports) wrote, Williams made 28 unforced errors in the opening set and had to rally from behind before shutting Ahn out in the second set.

“I just need to play with more confidence, like I’m Serena," Williams said after the win.

"So that was it. I just started playing like that. And I love the clay and I started playing like it, opening the court and moving and sliding.”

Williams next plays Tsvetana Pironkova, whom she defeated 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in New York.

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