Sania Mirza broke sixth-seeded Flavia Pennetta three times en route to a 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) first round victory at the Gaz de France on Tuesday.
Mirza dropped only nine points on serve, but had to fight back in the second set from 5-2 down, saving a set point. The win over 16th-ranked Pennetta was her third against a top-20 player.
Tatiana Golovin broke Marta Domachowska of Poland in the final game to avoid a tiebreaker and seal a 6-0, 7-5 win, and ensure seven Frenchwomen in the second round.
"She started playing well in the second set and I had to work harder to stay focused and concentrated," said Golovin.
Compatriot Virginie Razzano beat Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-1, and will next play defending champion Dinara Safina. However, lucky loser Severine Bremond lost to Anna Smashnova of Israel 6-1, 6-2.
Vera Dushevina of Russia beat Ivana Lisjak of Croatia 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 to set up a second-round encounter with Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo, who had a first-round bye.
Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria advanced 6-2, 2-6, 6-0 over Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic and Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues outlasted Italy's Tathiana Garbin of Italy 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 to set up a clash with second seeded Mary Pierce.