PARIS: World number one Aryna Sabalenka needed just an hour to sweep aside Russian Kamilla Rakhimova on the opening day at Roland Garros.
The Belarusian kicked off the schedule under the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday with a ruthless 6-1, 6-0 win, making a strong start to her tilt at a first French Open title.
Sabalenka has never reached the final at Roland Garros, but the tournament appears more open than in recent years given the struggles of three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek.
The Pole has slipped to fifth in the rankings and has not reached a WTA final since lifting her fourth French Open trophy last year.
Sabalenka believes she is as well-placed as ever to take advantage.
“I really feel I can do really good here,” said Sabalenka, who belted 30 winners past Rakhimova in a one-sided contest. “Super happy with the level.”
China’s Zheng Qinwen, who won Olympic gold last year at Roland Garros, overcame a tough first-round assignment as she beat former finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3.
Elina Svitolina opened the action on Court Suzanne Lenglen with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez as scattered showers interrupted play briefly on the outside courts before giving way to clearer skies.
In other first round matches, Leyre Romero Gormaz beat T Rakotomanga Rajaonah 7-6, 6-2, Diana Shnaider beat Anastasiya Soboleva 7-6, 6-2, Jil Teichmann beat Lucrezia Stefanini 6-4, 6-4, Dayana Yastremska beat Destanee Aiava 7-5, 6-1, Anna Bondar beat Laura Siegemund 7-6, 6-3, Viktorija Golubic beat Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-0,6-4.
In men’s section, 8th seed Lorenzo Musetti beat Yannick Hanfmann 7-5, 6-2, 6-0, 15th seed Frances Tiafoe beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, Juan Manuel Cerundolo beat Alex Michelsen 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, Márton Fucsovics beat Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 6-2 , 6-2, HamadMedjedovic beat Kamil Majchrzak 6-3, 6-3, 7-6, Tommy Paul beat Elmer Moller 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, 6-1, Fábián Marozsán beat Luca Nardi 6-2, 6-3, 7-6. Agencies
Also Read: Antonio Conte — A Serie A legend clinches another title to bring Napoli to his feet
Also Watch: