PARIS, May 26 (Reuters) - ⁠Reigning French Open champion Coco ⁠Gauff recovered from a slow start ‌to power past fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-0 as her title defence began in style ​on Tuesday.

On a baking Court ⁠Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff struggled ⁠to find her range early on and ⁠was ‌a point away from slipping two breaks of serve behind ⁠against her compatriot.