Williams swept the Belarusian world number three aside 6-1, 6-3, in what was a straight-forward tournament for the 31-year-old American who lost just 14 games without conceding a single set throughout the clay-surface tournament.

The Olympic champion has now won four successive tournaments, after recent wins in Miami, South Carolina and Madrid, but despite showing the form that forged her reputation as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, the French Open title is one that has eluded the Michigan-born star for over a decade.

Serena Williams is the hot favourite for the women's singles title at Roland Garros after securing her fourth successive tournament win

Her solitary French Open title came in 2002 when she defeated her sister Venus in the final, but with world number two Maria Sharapova being struck down by a virus this week in a major setback to her preparations and Williams in the form of her life, she will undoubtedly go to Roland Garros as the major favourite for the women's singles title.

The French Open is due to underway in Paris next Sunday (May 26) and run until June 9.

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