Sabalenka, Rybakina Cruise Into French Open 2R; Stephens Crushed, Cornet Retires

Bottom half favorites Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina both rolled into the second round at Roland Garros on Tuesday as first round play wrapped up.

With all the early rains, Sabalenka was under the roof against elder Andreeva sister, Erika, but had not issues dispatching the 19-year-old Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2. Sabelenka broke five times and ran off the last six games from 2-0 down in the second.

“It was great match, great start for me,” Sabalenka said. “I think I was focusing on myself the whole game. I think that’s why I was able to bring such good tennis,” Sabalenka said afterward, noting that she adjusted well to humid conditions with the roof closed.

“In these conditions I just prepare myself for long rallies and I’m not trying to hit bigger, because if you hit bigger it brings more unforced errors, which is not really something I’m looking to. I’m just preparing myself mentally that it’s going to be longer points and it’s going to take more shots to finish the point.”

After missing her title defense at the Rome Masters, Rybakina was back on court and had a comfortable win over 29-year-old Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3.

There were nine breaks in the match, six by Rybakina.

“I’m happy to be back and just to keep on playing,” Rybakina said. “Then the goal is for me to win the titles. That’s what I want. That’s what I’m aiming for.”

Elsewhere, former French Open finalist Sloane Stephens was sent out ruthlessly by Yulia Putintseva
6-1, 6-2.

French drama queen Alize Cornet called it a career falling on Chatrier to Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng 6-2, 6-1.

“I’d like to be remembered as a genuine player who shared all her emotions with everyone all throughout her career with a fighting spirit. Someone who is a passionate tennis player, who likes to fight and who could die for it,” Cornet said to the WTA.

“I think I showed it several times, that it was actually my type of character. People may love me or not for that type of personality, actually, but this is what brought me until here.”

Tenth-seeded Daria Kasatkina brushed off a knee niggle to take care of Magdalena Frech 7-5, 6-1. No. 14 Madison Keys eliminated Renata Zarazua 6-3, 6-2. Victoria Azarenka enjoyed an easty victory over former semifinalist Nadia Podoroska 6-1, 6-0.

Anna Blinkova upended the 28th-seeded Sorana Cirstea in three 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(10-5). Former quarterfinalist Petra Martic ousted Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 6-4. The Netherlands’s Arantxa Rus beat former No. 1 Angelique Kerber in straights 6-4, 6-3 and 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva eased past Emina Bektas 6-2, 6-3.

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