World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka began her Roland Garros 2026 campaign with a commanding French Open victory on Tuesday.
The top seed defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to advance to the second round, marking her 22nd consecutive first-round win at a Grand Slam tournament. To secure the milestone, Sabalenka needed just one hour and 15 minutes.
Aryna Sabalenka Beats 2026 French Open Heat Wave
The Belarussian established control immediately, battling through punishing weather conditions that have plagued the tournament so far.
Temperatures soared to 33°C (91°F) as an unusual heat wave swept through Paris. The intense heat dried out the clay, making the court surface play much faster than normal — a change of pace that suited the four-time Grand Slam champion's power forehand. Sabalenka built quick advantages in both sets, moving ahead 4-0 in the first and 5-0 in the second.
Sabalenka disrupted her opponent with confident play at the net, too, hitting 29 total winners throughout the match to stay on the front foot.
Shortened points are something Sabalenka worked to perfect over the last year, remaining key to her quest for her first French Open title.
“That’s the most enjoyable part of the game right now, that I’m able to come to the net and play points there,” Sabalenka said postmatch. “I’m so glad I have improved that part of the game and I can bring it on court.”
Sabalenka Ousts Bouzas Maneiro in 'Tricky' First Round
Despite the final score, Bouzas Maneiro didn't go down without a fight.
The world No. 50 clawed back from her initial deficit to win four of the next five games in the opening set. Similarly, she capitalized on a brief dip from Sabalenka in the second set to extend the match.
The Belarusian ultimately answered that resistance by netting clean winners and a series of powerful returns to force a final double fault from Bouzas Maneiro.
"The first matches are always the trickiest ones," Sabalenka said of the French Open win. "[The] further I get in the tournament, [the] more comfortable I get, my level becomes better."
She'll next face the winner of Linda Fruhvirtova vs. Elsa Jacquemot.
