French Open: Sabelenka storms to opening win against Bouzas Maneiro

French Open: Sabelenka storms to opening win against Bouzas ManeiroAryna Sabalenka powered into the French Open second round, defying her world number 50 opponent and searing Paris heat.World number one and last year’s defeated finalist Aryna Sabalenka ⁠blazed ⁠through her opening round at the French Open as she brushed aside ⁠Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 in just 75 minutes.Sabalenka, who is still seeking her first Roland Garros title, raced to a ⁠4-0 lead on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier on Tuesday before unforced errors crept into her game, which allowed her opponent to ‌pull two breaks back and serve for 5-5.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Minorities at World Cup fear ICE threat and how US immigration is enforcedlist 2 of 4NBA legend Jordan pays tribute to Guardiola at Man City manager’s sendofflist 3 of 4What are the 10 biggest FIFA World Cup upsets in history?list 4 of 4Senegal football fans return home after royal pardon in Moroccoend of listA double fault, however, handed the top-seeded Belarusian the first set and she opened up a 5-0 advantage in the second.Bouzas Maneiro survived a further two games when she held and then broke for 5-2, but a double fault gave ⁠Sabalenka a routine win.The only blip for the four-time Grand Slam champion, as she returned to winning ways on clay after a surprise early exit from the Italian Open, was that failure to serve out the win.Aryna Sabalenka cools down with an ice pack in her match on Day Three of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros [James Fearn/Getty Images]She promptly broke back against the world number 50 in the next game to seal the win, before rubbing an ice bag over her face and exiting the court.“Happy to be back, thank you for the support. It’s a hot day, thank you so much for staying and don’t forget guys, stay hydrated,” Sabalenka told the spectators on centre court as a heatwave continues to roll over Paris for the start of the tournament.“I think we all feel pressure… But I’m used to it so I know how to ignore (it).”