French Open: Sabalenka storms into second round

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Aryna Sabalenka wasted little time in sealing her place in round two at Roland-Garros as she dispatched Kamilla Rakhimova.

Sabalenka is gunning for her first non-hard-court grand slam title in Paris, and started her campaign in style on Sunday (May 25).

The world number one required just one hour to see off Rakhimova 6-1 6-0.

Sabalenka sealed the win on her serve, putting a missed volley attempt behind her to take the victory on her first matchpoint, cushioning a deft backhand volley beyond Rakhimova's reach.

She has now beaten Rakhimova three times, with their first meeting coming at the 2023 French Open.

Elina Svitolina also made a dominant start to her Roland-Garros campaign, downing Zeynep Somnez 6-1 6-1.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, on her first major appearance since returning from maternity leave, lost to Viktorija Golubic, while Eva Lys, who made history as a lucky loser at the Australian Open, defeated Peyton Stearns, who was fresh off a run to the semi-finals of the Italian Open last week.

Data Debrief: Smooth sailing for Sabalenka

Sabalenka faced just two break points, and she saved both with crisply struck winners.

The Belarusian has extended her opening-round winning streak at the majors to 18, having not lost in the first round of a grand slam since 2020.

She has now made the second round at Roland-Garros in each of the past seven years, and is the top-seeded player with the fewest games conceded in her opening match at the French Open since Serena Williams in 2013 (also one, v Anna Tatishvili).