Gold medal favourite Iga Swiatek had an impressive start to her Olympic campaign, securing a hard-fought victory over Irina-Camelia Begu in Paris. The Polish world number one, renowned for her dominance on clay, particularly at Roland Garros where she has clinched the past three French Open titles, faced a tough challenge against the Romanian opponent. Despite her almost untouchable status on clay courts, Swiatek encountered resistance during a gripping second set, ultimately prevailing with a score of 6-2 7-5.
Swiatek’s exceptional performance at Roland Garros, where she has secured 22 consecutive victories, underscores her status as a formidable force on the clay surface. Her upcoming second-round match promises more excitement as she is set to face either Nadia Podoroska or Diane Parry in what is sure to be a compelling encounter.
In another noteworthy result, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who narrowly missed out on the French Open title to Swiatek in June, also advanced with a 7-5 6-3 win over Ana Bogdan of Romania. Swiatek’s pursuit of Olympic gold has been a focal point this year, fueled by the prospect of competing on her favorite surface.
Having claimed four of her five Grand Slam titles on the Parisian clay, Swiatek’s proficiency and determination make her a formidable frontrunner in any match. Despite a challenging contest against Begu, where she faced setbacks including going a break down in the second set due to misfiring forehand and serve, Swiatek showcased resilience, ultimately triumphing on a Begu double fault after breaking back at a crucial juncture.
Notably, the match took place under the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier, as the first day’s play at the tournament was significantly impacted by rain. This disruption meant that Britons Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, and Katie Boulter were unable to commence their singles campaigns as scheduled, highlighting the unpredictable nature of outdoor sports in the face of adverse weather conditions.
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