French Open: Sabalenka, Rybakina make strong opening statements

PARIS: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the second and fourth seeds in the Roland Garros women’s draw, took early steps towards a high-octane semifinal meeting.
On a wet, miserable Tuesday in Paris, the Belarusian and Kazakh made strong opening statements.
Sabalenka, sporting a terra battue inspired ‘rust factor’ orange dress with a high neckline and cutout back, beat Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 while Rybakina, playing in Paris-motivated sand shades, recovered from a hesitant start to put out Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3.
Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion, was playing her first match in over three weeks since her Madrid semifinal loss to Sabalenka.
The fourth seed, who was unable to defend her Italian Open title earlier in the month due to illness, had in March pulled out of Indian Wells for similar reasons, but took exception to questions on her physical condition.
“It didn't affect me in any way. I know how to play in different conditions,” Rybakina said of the heavy conditions. “For sure physically I'm much better than last year since I had to withdraw. The questions are quite the same, so I don't know what to say anymore.”
Rybakina’s serve and sharp shot-making has helped her claim three titles in 2024, including Brisbane and Abu Dhabi, but it is her most recent triumph, at Stuttgart, that she takes into the clay court major. Rybakina beat world number one and three-times French Open winner Iga Swiatek in three sets in the semi-finals at Stuttgart to record a form result.
The Moscow-born Kazakh, who has a clay court win-loss record of 8-1 this year, has split meetings (1-1) with Sabalenka this season.
“The goal is for me to win titles. That's what I want. That's what I'm aiming for,” Rybakina said.