French Open: Rybakina sends out statement with dominant first-round win

Elena Rybakina was given a tricky challenge by Veronika Erjavec but still progressed to the second round of the French Open with a straight-sets victory.

Rybakina, who has the chance to win back-to-back grand slam titles after prevailing in Melbourne in January, needed only one hour and 16 minutes to win 6-2 6-2.

Erjavec put up a strong fight early on, holding at least one game point in each of the first five games, including three break points on Rybakina's serve.

However, after the Slovenian won the opening game, Rybakina reeled off three in a row to take control.

After Erjavec pulled it back to 3-2, Rybakina barely gave her opponent a sniff, winning the next seven games in a row, taking the first set and putting herself on the precipice in the second.

Though Erjavec got herself on the board and impressed with several drop shots and redirected backhands, there was little she could do to stop Rybakina, who is bidding to win the French Open for the first time.

More wins than any other player on tour #RolandGarros | @lenarybakina pic.twitter.com/OZgTIBt9Xf

— wta (@WTA) May 25, 2026

Meanwhile, Italian Open champion Elina Svitolina overcame a scare against Anna Bondar, prevailing in three sets after coming from behind to win 3-6 6-1 7-6 (10-3).

Bondar came out of the blocks quickly, getting two vital breaks to get in front, but Svitolina won the last five games of the second set to force a decider.

Both players went a break up in the third set only to lose their advantage, and when it came to the tie-break, the Ukrainian won the first five points, giving Bondar too much work to do.

Data Debrief: Rybakina leaves no openings

Only Aryna Sabalenka (24) has claimed more wins in straight sets in 2026 in WTA main draws than Rybakina (23).

She also saved all four break points she faced on Monday, and her first serve was in fine form; she won 84% of the points behind it (21/25), though her percentage was not at its highest as she landed just 45% of them.