(Adds Safina's statements in paras. 4-7)
MOSCOW, May 25 (RIA Novosti) - World No. 1 Dinara Safina of Russia began her French Open campaign with a resounding victory in the first round over Britain's Anne Keothavong on Monday.
In a match that lasted nearly just an hour the 22-year-old Russian dispatched the British No. 1 in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 at Roland Garros.
Safina, who took over the top spot in the Women Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on April 20, will face her compatriot Vitalia Diatchenko, who in turn defeated Mathilde Johansson of France 2-6, 6-2, 10-8 on Sunday.
Speaking at a news conference after the match, Safina said she had not expected to win so easily.
"Of course, I came on the court expecting a good match and tough one because she had been playing good in Warsaw. She made the semis," she said.
She added that although she had enjoyed a fast and easy victory, she still had to practice more before the next game and work on her serve.
"I'm going to go and hit some balls... I guess I could serve a little bit better, and hit the balls a little harder."
Safina is looking to go one better than her performance last year, when she lost in the final to Serbia's Ana Ivanovic.
The Russian said in April that her goal was to remain world No. 1 for longer than her older brother Marat Safin, who topped the men's ATP ranking for around nine weeks in November 2000.
