PARIS -- Monica Seles, playing her first tournament since her father died, was in top form Tuesday, routing Anne Ellwood

Less than two weeks after losing her father, Karolj, to cancer, Monica Seles was back on the tennis court where he would have wanted her to be. (AP)

of Australia 6-0, 6-2 in the French Open's first round.

"This is what I want to do, and I think my dad would love for me to play," said the former champion, who is seeded No. 6.

SELES HAD APPEARED ON THE way to a shutout, reaching 5-0 in the second set, before Ellwood broke and then held for her only two games.

Seles' father, coach and mentor, Karolj Seles, died May 14 of cancer.

"It was just too tough for me to stay home," Seles said. "So many memories."

"I wasn't sure if I would be ready, emotionally," she said. But she said she spoke to her mother and entourage, and decided to come.

In other matches Tuesday, No. 2 Lindsay Davenport advanced over Kimberly Po, and No. 4 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario beat Jana Kandarr of Germany. Unseeded Serena Williams also advanced, joining her older sister, Venus, in the second round, as did No. 11 Mary Pierce, No. 7 Conchita Martinez, and No. 15 Dominique Van Roost.

But No. 5 seed Amanda Coetzer of South Africa made an early exit at the hands of Patty Schnyder.