Serena wins comeback matches at Roland Garros

Former women's singles world No. 1 Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova won their matches of returning to the clay Grand Slam tournament here on Tuesday.

China's Zhang Shuai and Peng Shuai found a way through the first round, while Duan Yingying was overwhelmed by local favorite Caroline Garcia after only nailing one game.

Williams, who gave birth to a daughter last September, played this year at Roland Garros unseeded as she slumped to the 451st position in WTA rankings.

The 23-time singles winner signaled her return to Grand Slam courts as she outclassed Kristyna Pliskova of Czech Republic 7-6 (4), 6-4.

"It wasn't an easy match," admitted 36-year-old Williams, who combined 28 aces with Pliskova.

"I was struggling to get in a little rhythm because there were so many aces going on.

"But overall, I was definitely happy with my performance and how I played today," she said.

It was the first French Open in three years for two-time winner Sharapova, who served her suspension in 2016 and failed to receive a wild card in 2017.

She overcame the Dutch player Richel Hogenkamp 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in the first round.

"I can be proud of that effort, but I definitely stepped back a little bit, and wasn't as aggressive as I was through that 6-1, 3-1, but overall I won the last point," said Sharapova, seeded 28th this year.

Zhang posted her best record of last 32 last year. She met little resistance from 260th-placed Kucova at the start and won six games in a row in in the first set.

The second set ran in a different manner, as Kucova improved her forehand quality, and after the two players held serves for a 2-2 tie after the fourth game, Kucova broke for an upper hand.

Zhang had her response of breaking Kucova's service in the sixth game. She won two successive games after the duo tied 5-5 to seal a berth in the second round.

"I know it won't be that easy to finish the job," commented Zhang. "I was lucky to win at last."

It was also a celebrating day for Peng, who notched her first victory in singles over the past five years here. She overshadowed Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia 6-3, 6-4.

Peng will next face Garcia, who eased past Duan 6-1, 6-0 in 58 minutes. Duan played her first match in almost one month following her return from foot plague.

"Garcia always beats the ball hard. I will try my best in the next match," said Peng.

In a clash featuring former title holders, No. 3 seed and 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza saw off Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion, 7-6 (0), 6-2.

Top seed Simona Halep has to wait another day for her first round competition against Alison Riske of the United States, as light condition didn't allow the match to go as scheduled.

Men's singles defending champion Rafael Nadal erased a three-game deficit in the third set to beat Italian lucky loser Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (9) in a rain-delayed contention.

"It was a difficult match because he played so aggressive and very well. I always resisted difficultly against players that want to hit every ball so hard, and even more if it's the first round," said Nadal.

Joining Nadal in the second round are third-seeded Marin Cilic, No. 6 seed Kevin Anderson and Canadian talent Denis Shapovalov.

Argentina's clay specialist Juan Martin Del Potro came from one set down to eliminate Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 1-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

China's Wang Qiang will take on Petra Martic of Croatia in women's singles second round, and several Chinese players, including Zhang and Peng, will kick off their doubles campaign on Wednesday.