Current French Open champion Coco Gauff recovered from a slow start to begin her title defense in style, beating fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-0.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, top seeds Arina Sabalenka And the 16th seed Naomi Osaka It also progressed.
Baking Court At Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff struggled to find her range early on and was far from holding back two breaks of serve.
However, the fourth seed quickly regained balance, taking control and safely advancing to the second round.
Gauff double-faulted on set point at 5-3 in the opening game, but broke Townsend’s serve in the next game to take the lead.
After that, it was a one-way street as she rode her way to victory.
“I have so many great memories on this court,” said Gauff, who beat Sabalenka in last year’s final.
“He seemed a little nervous when he went out, but he was able to find peace.”
Sabalenka: Heatwave is perfect for my game
Sabalenka, ranked No. 1, took advantage of the hot weather of the French Open and played aggressively from the first round.
Sabalenka beat No. 50 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 with a variety of net approaches and volleys against Philippe-Chatrier.
“The most enjoyable part of the game right now is being able to go to the net and play the point,” Sabalenka said. “I’m very proud to have been able to improve that part of my game.”
The unusually hot conditions at Roland-Garros make net rushing, usually better suited to hard and grass courts, a viable option. This is because the coat dries faster and plays faster.
The temperature in Paris is forecast to rise above 32 degrees for three consecutive days.
“I hope these are perfect conditions for me,” Sabalenka added. “It suits my game really well.”
Sabalenka won the Australian Open and US Open on hard courts.
Osaka won against Powimund.
Osaka turned heads with another brilliant Grand Slam fashion statement, with the former world number one playing striking tennis to demolish unseeded German Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in the first round.
Months after dazzling in a jellyfish-inspired outfit at the Australian Open, Osaka unveiled a layered tan and gold matching dress as she walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen wearing a sequined vest blouse and floor-length black mesh train.
Siegemund, dressed much more subdued, held her own as the contest began, but four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka quickly took control of the opening set and wrapped up the match with minimal fuss.
Osaka allowed the momentum to shift in the next set as the hot afternoon sun made things more difficult for her players, but the 16th seed saved a set point and came back from 5-3 down to force a tie-break and win.
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