Four-time champion Iga Swiatek cantered into the second round of the French Open on Monday, dispatching Australian wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1 6-2 in quick time under a beaming sun.
The third-seeded Pole, who reigned supreme at Roland Garros in the early 2020s, has not won a title on clay since she lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup in 2024.
It did not show on court Philippe Chatrier, where she made light work of Jones after an early trade of breaks in the opening set.
Peppering the court with forehand winners, Swiatek had one minor concern in the form of a blister on her right hand that needed care after she stormed through the first set.
Yet another booming forehand by Swiatek sealed the match after exactly one hour.
“I’m just really happy to play on this court; the first matches are for getting used to conditions, I’m happy the way I played today, tactically,” said the 24-year-old, who has lost only two matches at Roland Garros in six years.
Her pedigree, however, comes with added pressure.
“Nothing comes easy. I feel with more titles it feels harder because everyone expects you to play perfectly, so you have to stay grounded and not take anything for granted.”
Swiatek will take on Czech Sara Bejlek for a place in the third round.
Meanwhile, Swiss Stan Wawrinka made his final French Open appearance in a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 loss to Dutchman Jesper de Jong Monday before departing Roland Garros to a standing ovation and loud applause that reflected the enduring affection for the 2015 champion.
The 41-year-old, who made his Grand Slam breakthrough at the Australian Open by winning the 2014 title before adding trophies at the French Open and the U.S. Open in subsequent years, is set to end his storied playing career later this season.
Also, Elina Svitolina survived a major scare to reach the second round of the French Open, having to come from behind to labour past unheralded Anna Bondar 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-3) on Monday.
A month after she was knocked out of the Madrid Open in straight sets by the Hungarian, Ukrainian seventh seed Svitolina could not find her range on the Suzanne Lenglen Court, falling apart in the opening set after cancelling out an early break.
Svitolina, however, bounced back in the second but it was not as easy as the 6-1 scoreline suggested.
The 31-year-old fell 3-1 behind in the decider but clawed her way back and broke decisively for 4-3.
Serving for the match at 5-4, she was broken to love, losing eight points in a row to find herself trailing 6-5.
She held serve to force a super tiebreak, during which her opponent eventually unravelled.
Reuters
