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Former world number one Martina Hingis fired the first shot in her bid to claim the only Grand Slam title missing from her collection on Tuesday as she confidently strode into the second round of the French Open.
Playing in her first Roland Garros since her semi-final loss in 2001 the Swiss player looked at ease on a chilly Philippe Chatrier court as she disposed of US veteran Lisa Raymond 6-2, 6-2 in 54 minutes.
And the 25-year-old, who finished runner-up here in 1997 and 1999, admitted that she was riding a wave of confidence since winning her 41st career title on clay in Rome earlier this month.
"Coming from a victory like in Rome my confidence is higher. I'm definitely getting to where I want to be," said Hingis, who has shot from 349th to 14th in the rankings since her return in January after three years retirement following injury.
But Hingis, the 12th seed, said she did not feel that she had been tested fully by her 32-year-old opponent whom she has beaten seven times in their eight meetings.
"I don't think I was totally tested today," she said.
"I was confident playing Lisa, it's not her favourite surface."
But Hingis, who next meets Czech Zuzana Ondraskova for a place in the third round, believes that her time out has helped her develop as a player.
"Coming here after five years is definitely a different story. I'm not a teenager, I feel more mature as a person and as a player," she said.
"Everyone improves over the years and get better as time goes on. Today I'd probably beat the Martina back then.
"I have some weapons I didn't have then - the brains and the experience. I'm a better athlete and player with time."
Despite the fact that she has never won in Paris, although she won the junior title in 1993, Hingis insists that she prefers to think about her five Grand Slam titles than her failures.
"So what?" she says of never winning Roland Garros.
"I've always had a lot of success making the semi-finals here. I don't think is a disappointed. I've won on all four surfaces out there.
"There are many players who haven't won anything or Grand Slams, everyone pinpoints that but I'm here again and trying one more time."
"I'm not even close to be there holding the trophy and being the champion. I don't want to put any pressure on myself," added Hingis.
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AFP 301150 GMT 05 06
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