PARIS, France: World No. 1 women doubles pair of Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza defeating Daria Kasatkina and Alexandra Panova, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the first round of French Open, here and are now just five matches away from a Non-Calendar Year "Santina" Slam.

The Russians came back strong to level score by saving two set points in the 12th game to force a tie-break. On serve through the first six points, Sania-Martina broke away from there, winning four of the last five points to win the game.

Clinching victory in just over 90 minutes, Hingis and Mirza booked a second round meeting with either Karin Knapp and Mandy Minella, or Japanese duo Nao Hibino and Eri Hozumi.

Later in the day, 13-time Grand Slam champions Venus and Serena Williams played their second doubles match of the season, dispatching Jelena Ostapenko and Yulia Putintseva, 6-2, 6-2.

Meanwhile, American Madison Brengle and Tatjana Maria earned the biggest upset thus far when they took out Spanish pair and No.13 seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Arantxa Parra Santonja, 6-2, 6-3.

In women singles, World No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska got the better off Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-4to advance into the third round of the French Open. Up next for the No.2 seed is No.30 seed Barbora Strycova who edged out Polona Hercog 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round.

Meanwhile, Simona Halep booked her place in the third round, defeating Zarina Diyas in straight sets on Wednesday.