UPDATE 1-Open-Pierce rolls back the years in Paris

By Ossian Shine

PARIS, May 25 (Reuters) - Mary Pierce rolled back the years to sprint into the third round of the French Open with a 6-1 6-0 victory over Croatia's Jelena Kostanic on Wednesday.

With the crowd roaring her on, the 30-year-old local favourite was all smiles as she sealed the win in 58 minutes.

"I was, of course, delighted to be on central court again with a fabulous crowd," she said.

"I felt my tennis was better than the first round. It's not yet exactly the way I would wish it, but it's improved and I'm delighted."

Pierce, the last French player to triumph in the singles at Roland Garros in 2000, will likely next face ninth-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva.

Zvonareva plays Czech qualifier Eva Birnerova later on Wednesday.

"Well, this is going to be quite a test for me, quite a challenge," Pierce said.

"She's ninth seed here and she's obviously one of the best. She's a very good player. It's going to be a very tough match.

"I've played her once, and I remember I beat her in three sets Fed Cup in Moscow a couple of years ago.

"I'll try to do, as in the first two rounds, to have fun on court and play my best tennis and try to win the match."