Returning to the stage of her greatest triumph inspired defending champion Garbine Muguruza to down 2010 winner Francesca Schiavone in the first round of the French Open on Monday.

Fourth-seed Muguruza, who had been woefully out of form in the run-up to Roland Garros, never looked in danger and outclassed her Italian opponent 6-2 6-4 in muggy conditions.

There were several top-notch rallies and Schiavone pulled a few tricks from her bag, threatening in the second set. However, she made too many unforced errors to sustain any form of challenge.

“I was so excited to play here against another champion. Francesca is a legend,” Muguruza said.

Muguruza next faces Anett Kontaveit – who accounted for Romanian Monica Niculescu 7-5 6-1.

Estonian Kontaveit is one of the in-form players on clay this season and beat the Spaniard in the second round in Stuttgart.

“It’s a tough draw. It’s going to be a tough game. She’s enjoying a very good season on clay. She has an aggressive game too,” Muguruza said.

Former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic has defeated Richel Hogenkamp of the Netherlands 6-2 7-5 to progress to the second round.

Kazakhstan’s 27th-seed Yulia Putintseva has made light work of Frenchwoman Myrtille Georges 6-3 6-0, Croatian 29th-seed Ana Konjuh was made to work for a 7-5 7-6 (7-4) victory over Danka Kovinic of Montenegro, while Chinese 32nd-seed Zhang Shuai has overcome Croatian Donna Vekic 7-5 6-4.

Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova has beaten Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-4 2-6 6-2, American Catherine Bellis has got the better of Dutchwoman Quirine Lemoine 6-3 3-6 6-1 and Swede Johanna Larsson has eased past Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva 6-4 6-4.

Canadian Francoise Abanda has defeted local hope Tessah Andrianjafitrimo 6-3 6-4 and Tunisian Ons Jabeur has beaten Ana Bogdan of Romania 6-3 6-4.