Paris ? The French Open started on a Sunday for the first time and nearly ended quickly for Maria Sharapova.

The former Wimbledon champion overcame a gimpy foot, a 5-2 deficit in the third set and three match points to beat American Mashona Washington, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5.

The match was the first since April for Sharapova, who withdrew from two events leading up to Roland Garros because of a right ankle injury. Her movement was clearly hampered, even after a trainer rewrapped the ankle following the second set.

But the 29-year-old Washington, who entered ranked 97th, failed to close out a win that would have been the biggest of her career. Sharapova won the final five games to limp into the second round.

“I was playing with pain, and I blocked it out somehow and started moving better, and she got a little bit tight,” Sharapova said.

Russia's Maria Sharapova serves to Mashona Washington of the United States in their first-round match at the French Open. Sharapova won, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, Sunday despite a nagging ankle injury.

“I knew I wouldn’t be playing 100 percent. I’m obviously not moving great.”

Roland Garros added a 15th day of play this year to extend into a third weekend, and neither Sharapova nor top-ranked Roger Federer was thrilled with the early start. Federer lost his first two service games to fall behind 3-0, then gradually found his form and beat qualifier Diego Hartfield, 7-5, 7-6 (2), 6-2.

The Sunday start may have annoyed Federer, but it gives him a two-day layoff before he plays again Wednesday.

“I like Paris,” he said. “I might take time to go around and have a look at the town.”

Top-ranked Amelie Mauresmo of France beat Meghann Shaughnessy, 6-4, 6-4.

No. 14 Dinara Safina, No. 22 Ai Sugiyama and No. 25 Marion Bartoli also advanced.

No. 3-seeded David Nalbandian needed nearly three hours to defeat Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4. No. 7 Tommy Robredo swept Tomas Zib, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.