Defending Champion Swiatek cruises past qualifier Jeanjean in French Open first round

Top seed Iga Swiatek defeated qualifier Leolia Jeanjean 6-1 6-2 on Monday to begin her title defence at the French Open, where she hopes to win a fourth title on Paris clay.

The 22-year-old world number one, who has won the French Open three times in the last four years, arrived in Paris fresh off a 12-match clay-court winning streak that included victories in Madrid and Rome.

"Matches like that give me a lot of satisfaction," said Swiatek, who will face former world number one Naomi Osaka in the second round. "Overall, I am happy with my performance."

Swiatek, who has now won her last 15 matches in Paris after back-to-back victories in 2022 and 2023, wasted no time demonstrating her determination to extend her winning streak, breaking her opponent in the first game.

Swiatek went up 4-1 on a superb forehand down the line before cruising to a first set lead in 30 minutes.

The Frenchwoman, who is ranked outside the top 100, broke the Pole at the start of the second set, but was broken immediately.

Swiatek, who has now won 29 of her first 31 matches at the French Open, held serve before earning another break to lead 5-2, with 24 winners to her opponents' two. She finished the contest on her first match point and with winner number 26.

Swiatek's recent dominance, particularly on clay, has prompted comparisons to 14-time men's French Open champion Rafael Nadal, who was scheduled to play his first-round match later on Monday.

"I think it's too early. For sure I' m proud of my achievements," said Swiatek. "It’s always been my favourite surface. It is where tennis gives me the most pleasure."

"Comparing me to him, I don't think I am on that level yet. I still have many things to prove. I'm just at the beginning."

SportsLigue