Venus Williams overcame major problems with her serve to reach the second round of the French Open yesterday. <table style="width: 201px; height: 579px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="201" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" src="/imagedata/2010/may/venus-late.jpg" border="0" /></td></tr> <tr> <td> Venus Williams celebrates her 6-3, 6-3 French Open first round win over Patty Schnyder at Roland Garros yesterday</td></tr></tbody></table> The five-time Wimbledon champion was broken three times by Patty Schnyder -- twice to love -- on Suzanne Lenglen Court. But her famed court coverage meant she broke herself on six occasions and ran out a 6-3, 6-3 winner. The world number two -- who has never lifted the women's singles crown at Roland Garros -- will now play either Arantxa Parra Santonja or Kurumi Nara in Round Two. Williams had won all 10 of her previous clashes with world number 61 Schnyder and believes that gave her a psychological advantage. "The record definitely helped me because I've been at stages of my career where I've had a one-sided record against certain players. So obviously I'd like to have that kind of record against everyone," she said. Williams has struggled on clay down the years but has shown a marked improvement this season and she is adamant she has what it takes to lift her first French Open crown. The 29-year-old said: "I always -- it goes without saying -- believe I can win." Champion nervous Meanwhile, women's champ Svetlana Kuznetsova admitted nerves got the better of her as she walked out on Philippe Chatrier Court to begin the defence of her title this morning. Kuznetsova overcame a sluggish start to beat Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-1. "I was a little bit nervous at the start, and it was a rough start for me, but I think I'm very happy about it," said the Russian.

Venus Williams overcame major problems with her serve to reach the second round of the French Open yesterday

Venus Williams downs Patty Schnyder in Round One

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Venus Williams downs Patty Schnyder in Round One

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