Serena Williams coasted through the first round of the Paris Open with a 6-1 6-4 win over Iveta Benesova.

In her first tournament since clinching a fourth Australian Open title, the American rattled off six successive games to claim the first set.

Although her Czech opponent rallied in the second, world number one Williams was always in control and closed out the match with a backhand winner.

"I was OK. I wasn't great, but I was so glad to win," said Williams.

"This was a little better than Australia because I didn't play well in my first two rounds there."

Williams also paid tribute to her opponent who briefly threatened to impede her progress with a break in the first game of the second set.

"She raised her game and I made some key errors on some key points. But then I was able to get a little confidence and that's pretty much what happened," she added.

Williams will contest a quarter-final spot with Croatia's Karolina Sprem in the next round.

Number eight seed Amelie Mauresmo also advanced with a comfortable 6-2 6-0 win over Italy's Sara Errani, setting up a meeting with Romania's Monica Niculescu.

Jelena Jankovic, who recently slipped from top spot in the women's rankings after a fourth-round exit in Melbourne, will play Francesca Schiavone in her opening match of the tournament later on Wednesday.