Paris May 30 (IANS) Romanian tennis player Simona Halep world No. 1 advanced to the second round of the French Open on Wednesday despite a spirited challenge from the United States Alison Riske 2-6 6-1 6-1.
Halep finalist in 2017 lost the first set in this year s debut on Parisian clay against the world No. 83 reports Efe.
However the Romanian star came back strongly in the next two sets and broke through Riske s resistance winning the match in one hour and 34 minutes.
In the second round Halep is to face US player Taylor Townsend who beat France s Myrtille Georges 6-4 6-2 in the first round.

--IANS tri/bg