The top seed was forced to become more aggressive in the second set after her serve was broken in the first game by Schiavone, Italy’s first Grand Slam winner at Roland Garros in 2010 and the world number 50.

As the competition intensified both players’ tempers threatened to boil over, with Williams shouting and Schiavone smashing balls into the barriers at the side of the court.

But Williams seemed calmer - and quieter - as she closed in on victory.

“I was able to save some energy, so I started walking slower and taking my time more. When I did that, I actually won three or four games in a row,” she said.

The 32-year-old and sister Venus suffered a disappointing first-round exit in the doubles competition on Monday against Taiwan’s Chan Hao-Ching and American Liezel Huber.

Serena smashed her racquet furiously into the ground when the pair lost the game as she double-faulted at match-point.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, 12th seed Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro defeated American Lauren Davis 6-4, 6-2 to book her place in the third round.

In the men’s singles, fifth seed Richard Gasquet and sixth seed Stanislas Wawrinka both safely negotiated a passage through to the second round.

France’s Gasquet defeated Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), while Switzerland’s Wawrinka needed three sets to overcome Italian Andreas Seppi 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The other early session matches saw Spain’s Fernando Verdasco claim victory over Somdev Devvarman of India 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, and American Sam Querrey defeat Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.