World number six Simona Halep cruised through her French Open opening round match 6-2, 6-0 versus Japan's Nao Hibino at Roland Garros.

The Romanian sixth seed, took just 43 minutes to dispose of the Japanese ranked 71 in the world, as Halep won in straight sets to book her place in round two.

Halep, 25, is aiming to go one step further this year in Paris after being runner-up in 2014.

Plain sailing for Halep

Hibino, previously ranked inside the top 60, was no match for her more illustrious opponent, as the Japanese's recent poor form continues after a first round exit to Christina McHale in Nürnberg last week.

Halep beat Dominika Cibulkova in the Madrid Open final (photo:getty)
Halep beat Dominika Cibulkova in the Madrid Open final (photo:getty)

Halep, who suffered a shock first round exit to Shuai Zhang at the Australian Open in January encountered no such problems as the Romanian, fresh from winning the Madrid Open, looks to build on a chequered season.

Halep aiming for first major title

A two-time semi finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open also, Halep is aiming to put an end to her wait for an inaugural major slam.

After defeating an opponent well within her means, little can be judged of the form of Halep, but another win will do no harm as the Romanian has her sights firmly set on a second week of clay competition in the French capital.

If Halep is lift her major title alas, she will have to best likely opponents of Lucie Safarova in the last 16 and second seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter-finals.

Halep will now face Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan or Carina Witthoeft of Germany for place in the last 32.

Elsewhere in the women's draw on day two, Garbine Muguruza struggled through into Wednesday's round of 64, versus Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmeidlova, winning out 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, after losing the opening set.

However, former Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki continues her grand slam troubles, losing to Veronica Cepede Royg of Uruguay in straight sets, 2-6. 2-6. 

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About the author
Neil Leverett
33 year old writer living in London. Arsenal fan but all rounder, specializing in sporting analysis, in particular football.