Serena Williams Defeats Anna Tatishvili to Advance at 2013 French Open

Serena Williams advanced to the second round of the 2013 French Open, defeating Anna Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1. 

The outcome was never in question, as the world’s No. 1-ranked female quickly won the first set 6-0 and never gave her Georgian opponent a chance.

Although Tatishvili was able to steal a game in the second set, it would be all she could muster, as Williams was in dominant form.

It was a strong opening match for Williams, who looks to win this event and capture just her second career championship at Roland Garros. It would be her 16th total Grand Slam title, and an especially sweet one after the disappointment she suffered in 2012.

This victory allowed Williams to progress further than she did in last year’s French Open, when the superstar was stunned by No. 111-ranked Virginie Razzano.

That was the first and only time Serena failed to navigate past the first round at a Grand Slam event.

In dispatching the No. 83-ranked Tatishvili, Williams pushed her winning streak to a career-best 25 matches and should remain the odds-on favorite to leave Paris as a champion.

The 31-year-old proved that she’s still one of the best players in the world and clearly capable of excelling on the clay—even though she hasn’t won at Roland Garros since 2002.

That much was evident when Serena defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3 on the red clay in the finals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome last week—which just happens to be the same tourney Williams last won just prior to claiming a championship at the French Open over a decade ago.

As long as Williams continues this great play, she should find herself right back in the thick of things during the final rounds. If the favorites win out in her portion of the bracket, Serena will face off against No. 8 Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals.

While Williams is the favorite, winning a title will not be easy. The American star next meets Caroline Garcia in the second round. She shouldn't pose much of a threat to Williams, her winning streak or championship chances, but anything is possible.