China’s defending champion Li Na overpowered Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-1 on Monday to advance to the second round of the French Open.

The world No.7, took just 58 minutes to dispose of 22-year-old Cirstea, ranked 43, with a display of superior cross-court ball striking to set up a clash with France’s 86-ranked Stephanie Foretz Gacon.

Li, who gave Asia its first ever singles title in a Grand Slam last year, is bidding to become the first champion since Justine Henin in 2007 to defend the women’s singles crown at Roland Garros.

“I’ll just try my best,” Li said of her chances to lock up back-to-back titles.

She worked hard on her footwork in the runup to the French Open, which followed a disappointing loss to Maria Sharapova in Rome.

“It’s tough for me to stay at the same level all the time,” Li said.

The sight of a Chinese flag as she walked into centre court gave her a boost before facing Cirstea.

“I was telling myself, you can do even better.”

Li won the title last year from Francesca Schiavone with a straight-sets demolition of the Italian in the final.

Li was joined in the second round by compatriot Zheng Jie who beat Alize Cornet of France 6-4 6-4 on Monday.

Zheng, 28, fought back after twice being broken to 4-4 to serve out both sets against the 22-year-old Cornet in front of the disappointed French crowd.

Since winning last year’s French Open, which pushed her to a career-high number four, Li has struggled with her form and failed to win another title.

She made it to the final of the Sydney International this year where she lost to Victoria Azarenka.

At the Australian Open in Melbourne, Li failed to convert four match points in the fourth round against Belgium’s Kim Clijsters and Azarenka went on to win the tournament and grab the world number one ranking.

After Melbourne, Li suffered quarter-final exits at Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Madrid before finally reaching the final last weekend in Rome, only to falter once again.

Li was leading Sharapova by a set and 4-0 but allowed the Russian to claw back and win the title with a third set tie-breaker after a rain delay.

Her disappointment at losing to Sharapova has not dissipated.

“The final in Rome is still killing me,” Li said, after her win on Monday before turning philosophical about the loss.

“I got experience. At least I can play tennis in the rain,” she smiled.