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Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina cruised into round two at Roland Garros as Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils made emotional exits in Paris.
Both Wawrinka and Monfils bowed out of what was their final run at Roland Garros (Credit: AP)
Iga Swiatek began her Roland Garros campaign in dominant fashion on Monday, cruising into the second round as the Paris clay also witnessed emotional farewells for Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils.
Playing her first Grand Slam since teaming up with former Rafael Nadal coach Francisco Roig, Swiatek dismantled Australian teenager Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in just one hour.
The four-time French Open champion looked sharp from the outset as she began her push to reclaim the title she won three straight times between 2022 and 2024.
“I’m really happy with the way I played. It was a solid match from the beginning to the end. I technically knew how to play,” Swiatek said.
The Pole will next face Czech player Sara Bejlek.
Elena Rybakina was equally clinical in the Paris heat, dispatching Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
With temperatures soaring to 32 degrees Celsius, the Australian Open champion was relieved to keep the outing short.
“It’s tough conditions but I’m happy things worked, and I’m looking forward to the next match,” Rybakina said.
She now faces Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.
There was drama elsewhere as Elina Svitolina battled back from a breakdown in the deciding set to defeat Hungary’s Anna Bondar 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/3). The Ukrainian maintained her perfect first-round record at Roland Garros, now 13 wins from 13 appearances.
Former finalist Jasmine Paolini advanced in straight sets, while Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen suffered a shock first-round exit to Poland’s Maja Chwalinska.
The day also marked the end of an era.
Former champion Wawrinka, playing his final Roland Garros before retirement later this year, lost to Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong in four sets. The 2015 champion received a heartfelt tribute after the match, including video messages from Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“Thanks to all your support, I wanted to go on as long as possible, to 41 years of age, to continue living moments like this,” Wawrinka told the crowd.
Monfils’ farewell proved equally emotional. The French veteran staged a stirring comeback from two sets down before fading in the decider against fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston.
Meanwhile, Casper Ruud survived a brutal five-set battle in the scorching conditions, while American fifth seed Ben Shelton progressed comfortably.
(with AFP inputs)
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