Andy Roddick wins, Dinara Safina loses and Venus Williams tones it down at French Open

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There were lots of storylines from Tuesday’s action at the French Open -- Rafael Nadal’s return to form at Roland Garros; Andy Roddick narrowly avoiding an upset; Dinara Safina not being as fortunate; Justine Henin’s big step in her return from retirement.

One thing that wasn’t a story: Venus Williams’ outfit.

Williams toned it down quite a bit after her outfit caused a stir Sunday. Oh, and she and sister Serena had no trouble in their first-round doubles match, beating Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium and Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand, 6-0, 6-1.

Four-time champion Nadal beat Gianni Mina of France, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2, improving to 32-1 at Roland Garros after falling in the round of 16 last year.

Roddick was frustrated at numerous points before rallying past Jarkko Nieminen in the first round, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Safina of Russia, runner-up the previous two years, lost to 39-year-old Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Henin beat Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-4, 6-3, in her first match at Roland Garros since winning the tournament for the fourth time in 2007.

Follow all the action: men’s singles, women’s singles and women’s doubles.

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.