Four-time French Open champion Justine Henin came back to Roland Garros for the first time after her 16-month retirement, winning her opening match in straight sets on Tuesday.

The 22nd-seeded Belgian met some challenges from Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, who defeated Russian ace Elena Dementieva at Warsaw last week, but still managed to claim the victory in 6-4, 6-3.

Henin ended her retirement last September then reached the final of this year's Australian Open.

"I'm feeling happy to take the decision to come back but I have to fight," said the former world No. 1, who believes that 2010 is still a transition year for her. "You have to take the time. You couldn't come back to the top just in two or three months."

After Tuesday's match, Henin expanded her winning streak at the French Open to 22 matches. The 27-year-old has not lost at Roland Garros since 2004.