World No 1 Iga Swiatek breezed through her opening match at Roland Garros, dropping just three games against Leolia Jeanjean, setting the stage for a thrilling second-round encounter against the four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.
Swiatek’s dominant performance in Paris saw her effortlessly defeat qualifier Leolia Jeanjean with a commanding score of 6-1, 6-2 on Monday as she embarked on her quest for a fourth title on the clay courts of Roland Garros. The 22-year-old arrived in the French capital riding high on a 12-match winning streak on clay, having clinched victories in the prestigious tournaments in Madrid and Rome.
Displaying determination from the outset, Swiatek swiftly broke her opponent in the opening game, swiftly gaining a 4-1 lead to claim the first set in only 30 minutes. Despite a brief challenge from her French opponent, who managed to break Swiatek at the start of the second set, Swiatek’s resilience and aggressive play led her to secure a 5-2 lead with an impressive 24 winners compared to her opponent’s two. Ultimately, Swiatek sealed her victory on her first match point, marking her 26th winning shot.
Notably, Swiatek’s triumph preceded what could potentially be Rafa Nadal’s final appearance at the French Open, amidst speculations about the retirement of the king of clay. While Swiatek is flattered by the comparisons to Nadal, she remains humble, acknowledging that she has a long way to go before earning the title ‘Queen of Clay’.
Meanwhile, the eighth seed Ons Jabeur commenced her latest Grand Slam campaign with an impressive 6-3, 6-2 win over American wildcard Sachia Vickery in the French Open’s first round. Jabeur swiftly gained a 3-0 lead on Court Philippe Chatrier, overcoming a brief resurgence from Vickery to secure the opening set. As the roof closed over the main show court due to rain, Jabeur maintained her composure and dominated the second set, ultimately closing out the match in 81 minutes with clinical precision. This victory showcased Jabeur’s prowess and determination as she strives to claim her elusive Grand Slam title.
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