Serena Williams has progressed through to the second round of the French Open with victory over Kristyna Pliskova.

Williams has not featured at a Grand Slam tournament since the 2017 Australian Open after falling pregnant, and the 23-time Major winner currently sits at 451st in the world rankings.

However, the 36-year-old will now make progress up the WTA standings after battling to a 7-6 6-4 triumph over Pliskova in a match which lasted one hour and 45 minutes.

Both players dominated on serve during the opener before Williams took the tie-break 7-4, but neither the American nor her Czech opponent showed the same kind of control behind their own delivery in the second.

However, Williams saved six of eight break points while also converting three of her own to secure a confidence-boosting triumph on her return to action.

Williams will now take on Australia's Ashleigh Barty in the last 64.