PARIS -- Serena Williams warmed up with sister Venus on center court at the French Open, then barely broke a sweat in her opening match against Barbara Rittner.

	Serena Williams is trying to become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988-89 to win five straight Grand Slam titles.

The younger Williams began her bid for a fifth consecutive Grand Slam title by beating Rittner 6-2, 6-1 Monday.

The victory was Williams' 29th in a row at a major tournament, a streak she began at Roland Garros a year ago. She's trying to become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988-89 to win five straight Grand Slam titles.

"I think players generally believe that I'm the player to beat in any tournament, especially the Slams, because I like to kick it up to a new level,'' Williams said. "This is what I play tennis for mostly -- to be remembered.''

Other winners included No. 4 Justine Henin-Hardenne and No. 5 Amelie Mauresmo. Henin-Hardenne beat Patricia Wartusch 6-3, 7-5, and Mauresmo swept fellow Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano 6-3 7-5.

Ashley Harkelroad, an 18-year-old American ranked 52nd, made a successful debut at Roland Garros by beating Saori Obata 6-4, 6-2.

Another American, Meghann Shaughnessy, needed 2½ hours to rally past Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 7-5, 11-9. Mary Pierce, the 2000 champion, lost to 2002 semifinalist Clarisa Fernandez 6-2, 6-3.

Williams warmed up 90 minutes before her match with Venus Williams on the same court where they played last year's final.

"It was really fun to be back out where all the magic began for me last year,'' Serena said.

Venus, who has lost the past four major finals to Serena, plays her opening match Tuesday against Samantha Reeves.

Serena Williams looked nervous early, even with the stadium mostly empty on a sunny, 60-degree morning. In the first three games she over-hit several volleys and committed 10 unforced errors.

When she blew an easy overhead in the next game, Williams slumped over with a rueful smile. She soon settled down, won eight games in a row and closed the victory in 54 minutes.

"You always have the feeling like she can put another gear in, and then that's it,'' Rittner said. "She's very strong. It makes you feel like you have no influence on the game.''