Russian Safina, who has won back-to-back claycourt titles in Rome and Madrid this year, attacked Keothavong from the outset and battered the world number 48 into submission with a combination of fierce groundstrokes and powerful serving to record a comprehensive 'double-bagel' win.
Keothavong had come into the tournament buoyed by her performance in Warsaw last week where she became the first British woman in 26 years to make the semi-finals of a WTA claycourt event.
But before a sparse crowd on the Philippe Chatrier court, Keovathong earned a break point in the opening game of the match and another midway through the first set, but she could take neither.
At 6-0 3-0 down, Keovathong went 40-0 up on her serve, but served two double-faults as Safina fough
