World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka launched her French Open campaign with a statement of intent, dismantling Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova in just one hour on Court Philippe Chatrier. The Belarusian powerhouse needed only 61 minutes to seal a 6-1, 6-0 victory, dropping a single game in a commanding display of tennis that left no doubts about her title ambitions in Paris.
Opening the tournament under the iconic roof of Chatrier, Sabalenka wasted no time setting the tone. She fired five aces, blasted 30 winners, and broke Rakhimova’s serve five times, winning nine consecutive games to cruise into the second round.
Despite being a three-time Grand Slam champion, the French Open remains a missing piece in Sabalenka’s résumé. Her best showing at Roland Garros came in 2023, when she reached the semi-finals. But based on this opening performance, the 27-year-old looks ready to go all the way.
“I wanted to start strong, and I’m really happy with the level I brought today,” Sabalenka told Marion Bartoli during her on-court interview. But her laser-sharp focus on court doesn’t stop her from capturing lighter moments off it—literally. After the match, she snapped polaroid photos of the court and her equipment, continuing a quirky tradition she began last December.
“The idea was to take some good moments in my life,” Sabalenka explained with a smile. “I already have a pretty big album. When I feel sad, I go through it and remember the good moments—it gives me good vibes.”
Next up, she faces Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann, who defeated Italian qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini 6-4, 6-4. A potential quarter-final clash with eighth seed Zheng Qinwen looms, followed possibly by a blockbuster semi-final against three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek.
For now, though, Sabalenka has made one thing clear: she’s not just here to compete—she’s here to conquer.
