Agency:
Aryna Sabalenka sent out an early warning to her French Open rivals as the world No. 1 produced a dominant display to outclass Kamilla Rakhimova in the opening round, while Elina Svitolina also made an impressive start on Sunday.
A grand tribute was held for 14-time champion Rafa Nadal following the day session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
To kick things off on the first day of the second Grand Slam of the year, three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka ensured that everything was on schedule.
She cranked up her serve in front of a small crowd under the roof of the main showcourt to blow her opponent away 6-1, 6-0 in exactly an hour.
The writing was on the wall for a dejected Rakhimova when the 27-year-old Sabalenka broke for a 3-0 lead in the second set, after scampering to a ball which had clipped the net cord and crushing a forehand winner.
“I’m super happy to be back in Paris,” said Belarusian Sabalenka, who is looking to improve on her run to the semi-finals in 2023.
“I love playing in front of you guys and I’m excited. The first rounds are always tricky… but I’m super happy to get the win and go through.”
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.
Up next for the Madrid champion is either Jil Teichmann or qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini.
Ukraine’s Svitolina dropped only two games in her 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez on Court Suzanne Lenglen while Germany’s Eva Lys took out American 28th seed Peyton Stearns 6-0, 6-3.
Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who secured her first win since returning from maternity leave at the Italian Open last week, was another early casualty in Paris following her 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 defeat by Swiss Viktorija Golubic.
