Defending champion and World No. 1, Serena Williams started her quest today to not only defend her French Open title but to equal Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles, a feat that has eluded her since winning Wimbledon last year.

She advanced easily against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia with a 6-2 6-0 win and was then handed a massive boost when the two seeded players, who have beaten her this year, both exited the tournament. First to go was reigning Australian Open champion and No. 3 seed, Angelique Kerber who lost to Kiki Bertens 2-6 6-3 3-6 and then No. 5 seed, Victoria Azarenka, who was nursing a leg injury, retired in her match against Karin Knapp with the score on 3-6 7-6 (6) 0-4. This only leaves Simona Halep and Agnieszka Radwanska as the possible contenders who could spoil her party.