PARIS — World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka delivered a dominant performance in her French Open opener, dropping just one game against Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova to kickstart her Roland Garros campaign in emphatic fashion. Meanwhile, Italian 12th seed Jasmine Paolini survived a scare against local favorite Diane Parry in a thrilling three-setter.
Sabalenka's Ruthless Display
The Belarusian powerhouse needed only 52 minutes to dismantle Rakhimova 6-2, 6-0 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, showcasing why she's considered one of the tournament favorites. Sabalenka fired 27 winners to just 8 unforced errors, converting 5 of 7 break points while never facing one on her own serve.
"I'm super happy with the performance today," Sabalenka said in her post-match interview. "I knew it would be tough coming from clay court tournaments where I didn't play my best, so I focused on every point and tried to play my game no matter what."
Key Stats That Stood Out:
- First serve percentage: 76% (Sabalenka) vs 48% (Rakhimova)
- Net points won: 8/9 (89%) vs 3/7 (43%)
- Average serve speed: 168 km/h vs 152 km/h
Paolini's Gritty Comeback
In stark contrast to Sabalenka's straightforward victory, Italy's Jasmine Paolini found herself in a battle royale against French wildcard Diane Parry. The match featured:
- 3 hours and 14 minutes of intense rallies
- 11 breaks of serve total
- 72 winners combined
Paolini ultimately prevailed 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 after saving two break points at 4-4 in the deciding set. "I was shaking at the end," admitted the Italian. "Diane played unbelievable tennis and the crowd was amazing. I just tried to stay focused on my game."
Other Notable Results
Elsewhere on Day 3 at Roland Garros:
- Fourth seed Elena Rybakina overcame a slow start to defeat Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3
- Former champion Jelena Ostapenko needed three sets to get past Jaqueline Cristian
- American Madison Keys made quick work of Renata Zarazúa 6-3, 6-2
Russian qualifier Mirra Andreeva continued her impressive form with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Emina Bektas. The 17-year-old, who reached the fourth round last year, has now won 12 of her last 13 matches on clay.
Looking Ahead
Sabalenka will face Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima in the second round, while Paolini takes on former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter. The Belarusian veteran advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Nadia Podoroska.
"Every match is different," Sabalenka cautioned when asked about her next opponent. "I'll prepare the same way - focus on my serve, be aggressive, and trust my game. The first match gave me confidence but there's still a long way to go."
Tournament organizers will be breathing a sigh of relief after several rain delays on Tuesday. The forecast looks more promising for the remainder of the week, with sunny skies expected for Sabalenka's second-round match on Thursday.
Conclusion
While Sabalenka's dominant performance headlines Day 3, the real story might be the depth of competition on display. From Paolini's gritty comeback to Andreeva's continued rise, this year's French Open is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Sabalenka can maintain her blistering form and capture her first Roland Garros title to complete the career Grand Slam. For now, the Belarusian has sent an emphatic message to the rest of the field.