World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her French Open campaign impressively by defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 15 minutes. Sabalenka, the top seed, demonstrated her prowess on Court Philippe-Chatrier, securing her 22nd consecutive first-round win at Grand Slam events.
Sabalenka’s arrival in Paris followed a somewhat inconsistent clay-court season compared to her earlier dominant performances this year. Despite recent losses in Madrid and Rome, she made history by becoming only the fifth woman in the Open Era to achieve the Sunshine Double. Bouzas Maneiro, known for causing upsets in Grand Slam opening rounds, faced Sabalenka with a reputation for surprising victories.
Maintaining control throughout the match, Sabalenka swiftly took a 4-0 lead in the first set and extended it to 5-0 in the second set, overpowering her opponent with her precision and strength. Her backhand shots were particularly effective, and her improved net play added a new dimension to her game.
In a post-match interview, Sabalenka expressed her joy at her net play improvements, emphasizing the fun she now experiences in that aspect of her game. Despite Bouzas Maneiro’s efforts to stage a comeback, Sabalenka’s strategic simplicity and powerful returns thwarted any chances of a turnaround, securing her victory decisively.
Responding assertively whenever momentum shifted, Sabalenka relied on her strengths and solid returns to maintain her lead. With a series of clean winners in critical moments, she sealed her victory in the opening round of the Grand Slam. Bouzas Maneiro’s double fault on match point concluded the match, extending Sabalenka’s impressive streak that began at the 2020 Australian Open.
