Aryna Sabalenka began her French Open campaign with a comfortable win on Tuesday.
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The Belarusian top seed hurried through a 6-4, 6-2 win against Spanish world number 50 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro as temperatures continued to soar through the first week of the tournament.
The only real blip for Sabalenka as she returned to winning ways on clay after a surprise early exit from the Italian Open was her failure to serve out the match on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The World No.1 in control 🙌 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/0IpVIqar9F
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2026
But the four-time major winner broke in the next game to book her spot in the second round after just 75 minutes on court.
"I'm super happy to be through. I feel like it was a tricky first-round opponent," Sabalenka said.
"I'd say that for me always not easy, the first rounds. And then, as I get further in the tournament, as I get more comfortable, my level becomes better."
Game, set and match, Sabalenka 💥#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/TiuYo8bUCk
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2026
Sabalenka will meet either France's Elsa Jacquemot or Czech qualifier Linda Fruhvirtova in the round of 64.
Following a wet and cold Italian Open earlier in May and similar conditions during the practice week at Roland Garros, the big-hitting 28-year-old said the scorching conditions played somewhat in her favour.
"I'd say that it was a bit warm," she joked.
"Especially compared to the first days when I first got here, it was like 14C, like, freezing.
"Now it's boiling hot and balls are flying, everything is much faster. But physically I feel strong, so I feel like it can benefit me."
GAUFF CRUISES INTO THE SECOND ROUND
Coco Gauff began her defence of her French Open title by despatching fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0 at Roland Garris on Tuesday.
Townsend, who had beaten Gauff in their only previous meeting in 2019, broke in the opening game.
A winning return for the defending champ 👑#RolandGarros @CocoGauff pic.twitter.com/8Iq4rOis85
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2026
The 30-year-old held on her first two service games, but from 3-1 up in the opener, won only one more game. That was at 3-5 down in the first, when Townsend saved a set point on Gauff's serve but dropped serve immediately to lose the set and that ended her resistance.
Gauff galloped through the second set in 24 minutes and will face Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the next round.
First set goes to Gauff over Townsend, 6-4!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/YZX9Vb3Sf4
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2026
Gauff applied ice during breaks in the cauldron of Philippe Chatrier but said that was only because her coach told her to.
"I'm from Florida so this is nothing," the fourth seed said on court. "Honestly I felt more bad for the fans. Dang you're watching in the heat and I hoped no one passed out. So I'm glad I finished quickly."