Clinical Iga Swiatek crushes qualifier Leolia Jeanjean to start French Open defence

NEW DELHI: Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Monday made a strong start to her French Open title defense, securing a comfortable 6-1 6-2 victory over qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in the opening round.Swiatek, 22, who has been a dominant force on clay courts, is aiming to capture her fourth French Open title. The Polish star has already triumphed in Paris three times in the past four years and coming into the tournament, Swiatek had built impressive momentum, riding a 12-match winning streak on clay that included titles in Madrid and Rome.She did not need much time to show she was determined to stretch that winning run, breaking her opponent in the first game.A superb forehand down the line put Swiatek 4-1 up before running away with the first set in half an hour.The Frenchwoman, ranked outside the top 100, tried to draw a line under the first set, breaking the Pole at the start of the second outing but was broken straight back.Swiatek held serve before earning another break to go 5-2 up, having hit 24 winners at that stage compared to her opponents' two. She ended the contest on her first match point and with winner number 26. (With inputs from Reuters)