Top five seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek took another step in their respective French Open journeys on Wednesday.
The No. 1 Sabalenka posted a 6-3, 6-1 over Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann, while No. 5 Swiatek notched a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu as both players reached the third round at Roland Garros in Paris.
Sabalenka of Belarus won 11 of the last 12 games and had a 34-9 edge in winners while sailing past Teichmann.
“She started really well and played her best game. It’s always tricky against her,” Sabalenka said. “Her variety is crazy. … I was trying to find the rhythm and I’m glad I held my serve from 3-1 down. I got more energy. It was a tough match, she made me work for every point and I’m very happy for this win.”
Sabalenka will next face Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, who registered a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Danielle Collins.
Swiatek held a 32-8 edge in winners over Raducanu in her latest impressive win on the clay at Roland Garros.
The three-time defending champion and four-time overall French Open winner has prevailed in 23 consecutive matches in Paris. The only players with longer streaks are Hall of Famers Chris Evert (29), Monica Seles (25) and Justine Henin (24).
“From the beginning, I knew what I wanted to do — so I just did it,” Swiatek said. “I had a good time on the court, and I felt the game pretty well, so I just went for it.”
Raducanu fell to 0-5 all-time against Swiatek.
“I think in the beginning of the match it was pretty tight,” Raducanu said. “As it went on, I think she grew in confidence. I just felt a bit exposed.”
The Poland native will next face Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, who rallied to beat Czech Republic qualifier Sara Bejlek 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
No. 4 Jasmine Paolini of Italy also played well while notching a 6-3, 6-3 win over Ajla Tomljanovic. Paolini had a 24-11 edge in winners.
Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine upset No. 11 Diana Shnaider 7-5, 7-5. Yastremska had a dominating 42-9 edge in winners. Bernarda Pera also scored an upset with a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3) win over No. 18 Donna Vekic of Croatia.
Also, No. 8 Qinwen Zheng of China cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Emiliana Arango of Colombia, and No. 12 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan sailed to a 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Iva Jovic.
No. 13 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine outlasted Hungary’s Anna Bondar 7-6 (4), 7-5, while No. 16 Amanda Anisimova rolled to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic
No. 19 Liudmila Samsonova of Russia delivered a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Spain’s Leyre Romero Gomez; No. 21 Jelena Ostapenko rallied for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Caroline Dolehide, and No. 22 Clara Tauson of Denmark outlasted Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 7-6 (2) 7-5.
Yuliia Starodubtseva defeated Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 6-2, and Canada’s Victoria Mboko was a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Eva Lys of Germany.
–Field Level Media
