Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a first set blip as she reached the second round at Roland Garros with a 6-4 6-2 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
The world number one started her Roland Garros campaign with a straight sets win over the Spaniard.
It wasn’t as straightforward as the scoreline suggests though as Sabalenka had to overcome moments of inspired tennis from Bouzas Maneiro.
A rapid start was created by Sabalenka as she surged to a 4-0 lead with some consistently flawless tennis.
However, Bouzas Maneiro came back from 1-5 and won three games in a row to put the match back on serve as she left Sabalenka reeling.
A double fault undid all of the Spaniard’s good work though and Sabalenka broke to take the opening set.
The second set was similar with Sabalenka producing some aggressive and attack-minded returning to cruise to a 5-0 lead.
There was a mini-resurgence from the Spaniard as she broke back and looked like she would repeat her feat from the opening set.
Once again a double fault meant that would not be happening as Sabalenka sealed her place into the second round of Roland Garros.
Sabalenka reached last year’s final and is bidding for her first title in Paris but could also face the prospect of losing her world number one ranking to Elena Rybakina.
When asked what it’s like to play as world number one Sabalenka said that pressure is part of her life, “I think we all feel pressure, that is just part of our lives, so I have just learned to ignore it,” Sabalenka was quoted by saying by the BBC Sport website.
“I am still trying to learn what is perfect for me. I enjoy if [the conditions are] cold and slow, hot and quick. I try to enjoy the game and do my best. Let’s hope this is the perfect condition for me and it’s going to help me.”
Sabalenka will now face either Linda Fruhvirtova or Elsa Jacquemot in the second round in Paris.
