Sabalenka Off to a Flawless Start in Paris as Mboko Shines on Grand Slam Debut

Sabalenka loses only one game in dominant French Open opener

If Aryna Sabalenka’s mission in Paris is to make a loud statement from the very start, she certainly didn’t waste any time. The world number one barely broke a sweat on Day 1 of the French Open as she dismantled Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0 in just under an hour, setting a powerful tone for what she hopes will be a deep run at Roland Garros.

Sabalenka has never hidden her ambition to add the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen to her growing Grand Slam collection, and while she’s already won titles in Melbourne and New York, the clay courts of Paris have remained just out of reach. Her best showing to date was a semi-final appearance last year. But if her opening performance under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier is anything to go by, she’s ready to take that final step.

The 27-year-old Belarusian, known for her aggressive baseline play and fearless mentality, unleashed 30 winners, struck five aces, and broke Rakhimova’s serve five times in a near-perfect display that lasted just 60 minutes.

Ruthless from the First Ball

Kicking off the tournament as the featured match on centre court is no small honour—and no small pressure either—but Sabalenka looked entirely at home. From the first ball, she was in complete control, dictating play with heavy groundstrokes and taking time away from her opponent.

Rakhimova, a 22-year-old ranked outside the top 80, simply had no answers. After managing to hold serve just once early in the first set, the Russian couldn’t stem the tide as Sabalenka rattled off nine consecutive games to wrap up the match in under an hour.

“I just wanted to bring good energy and enjoy the moment,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview with former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli. “It’s always special to play here and I’m trying to take everything in.”

The Polaroid Ritual

By the numbers: Sabalenka needs just an hour to clear Roland Garros opener

One of the lighter moments of Sabalenka’s Paris opener came after match point, when she whipped out a Polaroid camera and snapped photos of the court, her kit bags, and her surroundings—a quirky ritual that’s become a part of her routine this season.

Explaining the tradition, she said, “I started doing it in December. I’m building an album of all the good moments. Whenever I feel down or tired, I go through it. It brings me good vibes.”

She laughed while admitting the album is now filled mostly with candid shots of her team, “which is annoying sometimes, but it’s all good fun.”

A Clear Path Ahead—For Now

Sabalenka’s quarter of the draw appears manageable through the early rounds, though potential landmines await. Next up, she’ll face either Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann or Italian qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini, both of whom she’ll be heavily favoured to beat.

Further down the line, however, things could get tricky. A possible quarter-final clash with Chinese eighth seed Zheng Qinwen—who opened with an impressive straight-sets win over 2021 finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova—looms large. And should she progress past that, a semi-final showdown with three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek could be on the cards.

For now, though, Sabalenka’s performance suggests she’s focused, relaxed, and playing with the kind of controlled power that could carry her all the way.

Mboko Announces Herself with Dream Debut

While Sabalenka made headlines with her dominance, another storyline captured hearts on Day 1: the remarkable Grand Slam debut of 18-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko.

The teenager, ranked outside the top 300 just months ago, continued her rapid rise with a composed 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) victory over world number 45 Lulu Sun, who made waves herself by defeating Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon last summer.

Mboko, who didn’t drop a set during qualifying, showcased a blend of athleticism and poise that belied her age and experience. She sprinted through the first set and held her nerve impressively in a tight second-set tiebreak, booking a place in the second round with a smile and a shrug.

“It’s All a Bit Surreal”

“I didn’t expect the whole thing, honestly,” Mboko said after the win. “Even just getting through qualifying, I was so excited to be here. This is my first Grand Slam, and it’s all kind of a surprise. But now that I’m here, I feel like I can do something with it.”

It’s been a season of breakthroughs for the rising star, who now has 38 wins to her name this year and has climbed more than 200 places in the rankings, reaching world number 120.

If she continues in this vein, it won’t be long before Mboko becomes a regular fixture on the main tour—and a fan favourite along the way.

Svitolina Cruises, Kvitova Falls

Among the other notable names in action, Ukrainian 13th seed Elina Svitolina wasted no time getting into rhythm. She breezed past Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 6-1, 6-1 in just 72 minutes, reminding everyone why she’s long been one of the most consistent performers on clay.

However, it was a tougher outing for Petra Kvitova. The two-time Wimbledon champion, making her return to Grand Slam tennis after maternity leave, fell in three sets to Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic. After taking the first set, Kvitova faded as Golubic stormed back 3-6, 6-0, 6-4.

It was a disappointing result for the Czech veteran, but given the circumstances, it was a commendable effort in her first major since becoming a mother.

What’s Next in Paris?

With the first round underway and early nerves settled, the French Open is starting to take shape. Sabalenka’s blazing form will be one to watch, especially as the draw gets more crowded with familiar threats. Meanwhile, stories like Mboko’s provide a wonderful contrast—reminding us of the thrill of new beginnings and the unpredictability that makes tennis so compelling.

As the clay dust rises at Roland Garros, one thing is already clear: this year’s women’s draw is overflowing with talent, drama, and promise—and we’ve only just begun.