Did Aryna Sabalenka Start Strongly at the French Open? Oly Champion Zheng Qinwen Advances!
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The French Open kicked off with dominant performances by Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka, the top seed, showcased her power with a swift victory, while Olympic champion Zheng continued her impressive streak. What does this mean for the tournament ahead? Read on to find out!
Key Takeaways
- Aryna Sabalenka showcased her dominance with a quick victory.
- Zheng Qinwen continues her impressive form at the French Open.
- Former champion Petra Kvitova struggled with unforced errors.
- Sabalenka is a strong contender for her first Roland Garros title.
- Expect thrilling matches ahead in this prestigious tournament!
Paris, May 26 (NationPress) The top seed Aryna Sabalenka commenced her journey at the French Open with an effortless victory, triumphing 6-1, 6-0 against Kamilla Rakhimova in just one hour, marking a positive start to Sunday’s action on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Meanwhile, the Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen from China also claimed success, defeating former Roland Garros finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in an early women’s singles first-round match.
Sabalenka arrived in Paris as the standout player of 2025, aiming for her inaugural Roland Garros title. The reigning US Open champion has already secured three titles this year, including her third trophy in Madrid last month, bringing her overall record to 35-6. In Sunday’s match, Sabalenka unleashed 30 winners, including five aces, while minimizing her unforced errors to just 17. In contrast, Rakhimova managed only nine winners throughout the match.
The World No. 1 encountered just two break points, both during the fourth game of the second set, and successfully saved both with impressive winners. She converted five out of 11 chances against Rakhimova's serve and will next go up against Jil Teichmann, who defeated qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini 6-4, 6-4. The two players have previously met once, with Sabalenka winning 6-2, 6-1 in the 2022 Doha third round.
In the same section of the draw, Viktorija Golubic knocked out former No. 2 Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 in a match lasting 1 hour and 41 minutes. Kvitova was playing her first match at Roland Garros since 2023, hoping for her first win since 2022, but succumbed to a staggering total of 45 unforced errors. Her current record since returning from maternity leave in February stands at 1-5.
In the other half of the draw, Zheng Qinwen overcame Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3 in her first-round match. Zheng, the No. 7 seed, has advanced to the second round at Roland Garros for the fourth consecutive year, extending her winning streak at the tournament to seven matches. She will next face either Alexandra Eala from the Philippines or Emiliana Arango from Colombia.
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight the dominance of Aryna Sabalenka and the resilience of Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the early rounds of the French Open. Their performances not only set the tone for the tournament but also exemplify the competitive spirit of women's tennis today.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Aryna Sabalenka's score in her first match?
Aryna Sabalenka won her first match at the French Open with a score of 6-1, 6-0 against Kamilla Rakhimova.
Who did Zheng Qinwen defeat in her first round match?
Zheng Qinwen defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in her opening match with a score of 6-4, 6-3.
What are Aryna Sabalenka's achievements this year?
Aryna Sabalenka has won three titles this year, including her third trophy in Madrid.
How many unforced errors did Petra Kvitova have?
Petra Kvitova recorded a total of 45 unforced errors in her match.
Who will Aryna Sabalenka face next?
Sabalenka will next compete against Jil Teichmann.
