Jabeur, Muguruza Out Of French Open; Swiatek Opens Play Monday, Osaka v Anismova

It didn’t take long for the upsets to hit the French Open women’s. Two of the Top 10 seeds were eliminated on opening day Sunday in Paris as former champion Garbine Muguruza and 2022 clay win leader were both bounced.

Jabeur, who had won 17 matches on dirt including a recent Madrid title and Rome final, was sent home by Poland’s Magda Linette who held off the Tunisian 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 in the first match of the event on Chatrier.

Linette won the last five points of the match after Jabeur blew a 40-0 lead to try to get it into a final set breaker.

“I had so many tough matches with Ons and last year here I lost to her in the third round so I knew how difficult it was going to be,” said Linette who earned a retirement from Ash Barty at the French last year. “I saw how well she was playing all this time so I knew I have to be focused and play every single point and try to make her uncomfortable. I’m just happy I managed to fight for every single point.”

After her great lead-up, Jabeur had hopes of a title run at Roland Garros.

“It was tough today. I gave it all and she had her momentum on court, she didn’t give me too many options and I felt that she had response to, she had an answer to all my shots and she played very well in the important moments,” said Jabeur.

“I wanted to go as far as I could in the tournament because I played well on clay in Madrid and in Rome, and it’s difficult to take that one in. But that’s what sport is like and you need to be smart enough to move forward and get back on court.”

Not long after, Muguruza’s awful clay season came to an end as giant-killer Kaia Kanepi came from a set down to defeat the 2016 champion 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“I do get nervous, it’s not easy to play a tough opponent in the first round, but I think I enjoy playing Grand Slams more and I think the motivation is higher than smaller tournaments,” said Kanepi who now has 19 wins over seeds in early rounds at Slams.

“I try to be more focused and not too emotional when I play in Slams.”

2021 semfinals Maria Sakkari was down a quick break in the second but rallied to overwhelm Clara Burel 6-2, 6-3.

“It is my favourite tournament, my favourite court in the world. I have great memories from last year,” the 26-year-old Sakkari said.

“I know 99.9 per cent were supporting Clara, which is normal, but this atmosphere is something amazing. I’m very glad we are back to normal and I can witness this atmosphere on Court Philippe Chatrier.”

Coco Gauff, a quarterfinalist from a year ago, made a good start knocking out qualifier Rebecca Marino in straight sets.

US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez got out of a second set jam to oust Kristina Mladenovic.

Belinda Bencic, Elise Mertens, Karolina Muchova and former finalist Sloane Stephens were also winners.

Tomorrow, Iga Swiatek puts her 28-match win streak on the line against Lesia Tsurenko.

“I have so much points and I feel like my position in WTA is already like, you know, I have worked for it,” said Swiatek. “And it’s already kind of maybe I proved to myself and to other people that I can be in the top of the game, and before I wasn’t feeling that much confidence, so this year I feel much more peace.”

Also, Naomi Osaka takes on former semifinalist Amanda Anisimova in the match of the day. The met at the Australian Open and Anisimova saved two match points to win it.

“It’s better for me to play her in a first round than in like when people get warmed up and stuff,” said Osaka. “So it’s easier for me to play a seed in the first round than to play them in like any other round.

“I think that we both will draw from the experiences. I think me having two match points is comforting. I’m honestly not sure if clay is a better surface for her, because I know she went to the semis a couple years ago. So yeah, I’m glad that I played her in Australia, so like I can draw from that experience.”

Barbora Krejcikova also opens her title defense. She hasn’t played since February because of an elbow injury.

“I have problem with my elbow,” the Czech said Friday. “Everybody knows that. I think it just happened because of the way how I played last year. I think it was just so many matches, and, you know, I felt at some point I need to rest. I mean, my body told me that I have to rest.

“I was off for quite a long time. I didn’t expect it, to be honest. But, yes, I’m healthy right now. I’m here, and, yeah, it’s amazing, you know, to start at the place where I won my first slam last year. So I’m looking forward to, yeah, to build up with matches and to get back to the form.”

You Might Like:
Osaka, Gauff, Rybakina Headline San Jose WTA
Swiatek To Skip Madrid To Rest; Kontaveit, Kerber Also Out Of Now-Wide Open Event
Swiatek, Osaka, Halep, Gauff Lead Women’s Miami Masters
Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty Headline Cincinnati Masters Field
Iga Swiatek v Naomi Osaka French Open Second Roud Highlights [Video]