Serena caught napping again before easing through

PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) Serena Williams was once again caught napping before she regained her focus to squeeze past little-known Venezuelan Milagros Sequera 6-0 7-6 in the second-round of the French Open today.

The Australian Open champion had been dragged to three sets in her opening match on Sunday and a three-day break did little to restore her to usual champion's aura.

Williams, seeded eighth, stormed through the first set in 24 minutes but then started misfiring as her 69th ranked opponent streaked to a 3-0 lead in the second.

The 25-year-old American found her footing in the nick of time to avoid another long-winded contest and sealed victory 7-3 in the tiebreak when Sequera slapped a forehand long.

The eight-times grand slam champion, seeking a second title here after her success in 2002, will next face Michaella Krajicek.

REUTERS PDS BST0059