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.
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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.
Elina Svitolina, a four-time quarterfinalist in Paris, opened the action on Court Suzanne Lenglen with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez as light drizzle gave way to clearer skies.
Italian Open champion Jasmine Paolini, who lost to Swiatek in the 2024 final, plays Yuan Yue.
China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen beat former French Open runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3. The eighth seed is returning to Paris for the first time since winning gold at last year’s Olympics. She will play Emiliana Arango in the second round after the Colombian’s 6-0, 2-6, 6-3 win over Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.
Men’s eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti, who has reached at least the semifinals at all three clay-court Masters events this year, faces German Yannick Hanfmann.
