Elena Rybakina eases past Greet Minnen into French Open second round
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Kazakhstan star Elena Rybakina (above) comfortably beat Belgian Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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PARIS – World No. 4 Elena Rybakina recovered from a rocky start to comfortably beat Belgian Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the French Open on May 28, showing a full recovery from her recent sickness.
The Kazakh was unable to defend her Italian Open title earlier in May owing to gastrointestinal illness, and after losing serve in the opening game at Roland Garros and going 2-0 down, it looked like she could be in trouble.
But the fourth seed – who usually does not give much away in her expressions – roared back to take the next six games and win the first set, and began the second set in the same fashion, cruising to a 4-0 lead.
Minnen rallied and broke serve, and when her opponent broke for a third time in the second set and served for the match, the Belgian broke again.
But it only delayed the inevitable as Rybakina held her next service game to win the match.
“Really happy to be back and compete here,” said the 24-year-old former Wimbledon champion, who withdrew ahead of the third round at the French Open last season due to Covid-19.
“Last year I missed this tournament and it was really hard but really happy to be back. I’m really happy, thank you so much for coming guys, it’s been an amazing atmosphere.”
The newly installed retractable roof was in use again on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, as the rain fell on Roland Garros, but Rybakina was untroubled by the conditions.
“Of course, the ball is a little bit heavier and you need to move better and it’s different, but that’s tennis and you need to adjust with this rainy weather,” she said.
On her win, Rybakina added: “Most of the time I focus on myself but of course, I go through the tactics with my coach before (the match)... putting it all together. I think we’re doing a great job with the team and I’m playing really well now.”
The Kazakh is the only player to beat tournament favourite Iga Swiatek on clay in 2024, defeating the world No. 1 and three-time French Open winner on her way to the Stuttgart title in April.
She will now have a couple of days rest before facing either Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands or Germany’s three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber.
“I’ll just stay calm, watch something and mentally prepare for the next matches,” said Rybakina.
On Court Philippe-Chatrier, China’s world No. 8 and Australian Open runner-up Zheng Qinwen destroyed the hopes of home favourite Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-1 in her swansong.
The 34-year-old Frenchwoman, who had announced earlier that she will retire after this tournament, looked visibly emotional as she waved to the crowd following her defeat.
Zheng hugged her at the net as a small crowd at the main stadium rose to its feet and cheered for the local player.
Zheng Qinwen (above) destroyed the hopes of home favourite Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-1 in her swansong.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
It was Cornet’s 20th outing at Roland Garros and her 69th consecutive Grand Slam main-draw appearance – a women’s record in the Open era.
Her best performance in 72 total attempts at winning a Slam was a quarter-final run at the 2022 Australian Open.
She was moved to tears as a montage of the finest moments in her career played out on the screen at the arena, and Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo embraced her warmly.
Alize Cornet had announced earlier that she will retire after this tournament.
PHOTO: AFP
“First of all, thank you, I’m really moved,” said Cornet, who reached a career-high ranking of 11th in 2009.
“Lot of emotions and I’ve been preparing myself for weeks for this moment but you’re never really ready when you have to say goodbye. It’s a page of my book that’s turning... 20 years of pro tennis.
“But 30 years really because I started playing when I was four. Now I leave all this behind me and I’m just submerged by emotions. I’m really proud of what I achieved. I gave everything to tennis. I was just really lucky to have the life I’ve had.”
Second seed and two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenk breezed past 100th-ranked teenager Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2.
Meanwhile in the men’s draw, 2022 and 2023 finalist Casper Ruud started his campaign to go one better with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Brazilian qualifier Felipe Alves.
He will next face Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot or Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. REUTERS, AFP
