Iga Swiatek on one-way street to second round in Paris
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PARIS – Four-time champion Iga Swiatek cantered into the second round of the French Open, dispatching Australian wild card Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 under a beaming sun on May 25.
The third-seeded Pole, who reigned supreme at Roland Garros in the early 2020s, has not won a title on clay since she lifted the Suzanne-Lenglen Cup in 2024.
It did not show on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where she made light work of Jones after an early trade of breaks in the opening set.
Peppering the court with forehand winners, Swiatek had one minor concern in the form of a blister on her right hand that needed care after she stormed through the first set.
Yet another booming forehand by Swiatek sealed the match after exactly one hour.
“I’m just really happy to play on this court,” said the 24-year-old, who has lost only three matches at Roland Garros since her debut in 2019. “The first matches are for getting used to conditions. I’m happy the way I played today, tactically.”
Her pedigree, however, comes with added pressure.
“Nothing comes easy,” the world No. 3 said.
“I feel with more titles it feels harder because everyone expects you to play perfectly, so you have to stay grounded and not take anything for granted.”
She will take on Czech Sara Bejlek for a place in the third round.
Fellow contender Elena Rybakina eased into the second round on May 25 with a comfortable opening win over Slovenian Veronika Erjavec.
The second seed needed just 74 minutes on a scorching Court Philippe-Chatrier to seal her passage with a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
“I’m really happy with the win, of course. There are things to improve but today it’s really hot,” she said on court, before reminding the spectators to make sure to stay hydrated.
“It’s tough conditions but I’m happy things worked and I’m looking forward to the next match.”
Rybakina will next take on Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva as the Kazakh seeks to win her second Grand Slam of the season, following her success at the Australian Open in January.
Despite disappointing runs in the WTA 1000-level events immediately preceding the French Open, the 26-year-old has already lifted a title on clay this season in Stuttgart.
Earlier, reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen’s return to the venue of her most famous triumph ended with a 6-4, 6-0 humbling by Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, who will next face Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
China’s Zheng has largely struggled to replicate the form that carried her to the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games with a chronic right elbow injury stalling her progress and forcing her to undergo surgery last summer.
The 23-year-old, who made the Roland Garros quarter-finals in 2025, took treatment for a foot problem midway through the second set before her first defeat in the opening round of the French Open.
In the men’s draw, eighth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia saw off British qualifier Toby Samuel 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to set up a date with rising Belgian talent Alexander Blockx.
Later, Switzerland’s 41-year-old Stan Wawrinka made his final French Open appearance in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat by Dutchman Jesper de Jong before departing Roland Garros to a deafening standing ovation that reflected the enduring affection for the 2015 champion. REUTERS
