PARIS - Chinese reigning champion Li Na eased past Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of 2012 French Open on Monday.

It was the second time for the 30-year-old Li to meet the 43-ranked Cirstea. Li overwhelmed the 22-year-old Romanian 6-2, 6-2 in the third round of French Open last year before she went on to claim the first Grand Slam singles' title ever won by an Asian player.

This time again Li outclassed Cirstea in a lopsided match as she needed only 58 minutes to seal the victory in straight sets.

The seventh seed, who is bidding to become the first women to defend her title at Roland Garros since Justin Henin in 2007, will take on the winner between Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic and Stephanie Foretz Gacon of French in the next round.

Li Na of China returns the ball to Sorana Cirstea of Romania during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris May 28, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]