Aryna Sabalenka, Elina Svitolina make fast starts at French Open

Aryna Sabalenka (left) produced a dominant display, while Elina Svitolina also made an impressive start on May 25. PHOTOS: AFP

UPDATED May 25, 2025, 08:36 PM

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PARIS – Aryna Sabalenka sent out an early warning to her French Open rivals as the world No. 1 produced a dominant display to outclass Kamilla Rakhimova in the opening round, while Elina Svitolina also made an impressive start on May 25.

A grand tribute was held for 14-time champion Rafa Nadal following the day session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

To kick things off on the first day of the second Grand Slam of the year, three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka ensured that everything was on schedule.

She cranked up her serve in front of a small crowd under the roof of the main showcourt to blow her opponent away 6-1, 6-0 in exactly an hour.

The writing was on the wall for a dejected Rakhimova when the 27-year-old Sabalenka broke for a 3-0 lead in the second set, after scampering to a ball which had clipped the net cord and crushing a forehand winner.

“I’m super happy to be back in Paris,” said Belarusian Sabalenka, who is looking to improve on her run to the semi-finals in 2023.

“I love playing in front of you guys and I’m excited. The first rounds are always tricky... but I’m super happy to get the win and go through.”

Sabalenka has never reached the final at Roland Garros, but the tournament appears more open than in recent years given the struggles of three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Up next for the Madrid champion is either Jil Teichmann or qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini.

Ukraine’s Svitolina dropped only two games in her 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez on Court Suzanne Lenglen while Germany’s Eva Lys took out American 28th seed Peyton Stearns 6-0, 6-3.

Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who secured her first win since returning from maternity leave at the Italian Open last week, was another early casualty in Paris following her 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 defeat by Swiss Viktorija Golubic.

Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic became the first player into the men’s second round with a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) victory over Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic became just the third man to win 100 ATP titles with a typically dramatic comeback victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open on May 24.

The 38-year-old, playing in Switzerland in a bid to find form ahead of the French Open, recovered from losing the first set to clinch a 5-7, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-2) win after 3hr 5min on court.

Novak Djokovic became just the third man to win 100 ATP titles with a typically dramatic comeback victory over Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open on May 24. PHOTO: AFP

Djokovic joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only players with a century of tour titles.

“I had to work for it, that’s for sure. He was probably closer to the victory the entire match than me,” said Djokovic, who is the first man to win titles in 20 consecutive years.

“I was just trying to hang in there... this is what happens at this level. A few points decide it, an incredible match... and I’m delighted to clinch the 100 here.”

It was the former world No. 1’s first tournament triumph since clinching his maiden Olympic gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer.

Djokovic had lost both of his previous matches on clay this season prior to the Geneva tournament, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters respectively.

But he decided to play at the low-key clay-court event in a bid to find form ahead of Roland Garros, where the Serb will be targeting a record-breaking 25th major singles trophy.

It was also Djokovic’s first tournament since splitting from coach and old rival Andy Murray, but he showed no ill-effects. AFP, REUTERS

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