French Open drama and delight on opening day at Roland Garros as Coco Gauff and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva roared into the second round with commanding victories.
Gauff, the 2022 runner-up, caused a brief commotion when she arrived on Court Philippe-Chatrier without her rackets. Moments later, a ball kid sprinted out with her mint-colored frames, prompting the court announcer to quip, "That's better," much to the crowd’s amusement.
The 21-year-old American then brushed aside Australia’s Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-2. Gauff has now reached the quarter-finals or better in each of her past four visits to the Paris clay major, underlining her status as one of its most consistent performers.
On a neighbouring court, 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva—fresh from WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells—overcame an early 3-0 deficit to Spaniard Cristina Bucsa. The rising star overturned the double-break gap and cruised to a 6-4, 6-3 triumph, setting up a second-round meeting with American Ashlyn Krueger.
Third seed Jessica Pegula made a steady return from injury with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Romania’s Anca Todoni, while two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka produced a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory against Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer, who is set to retire after Wimbledon.
Poland’s Magdalena Frech also caused an upset by knocking out three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur in straight sets, adding to the tournament’s early surprises.
With the draw opening up, attention now turns to whether Gauff and Andreeva can maintain their momentum on Paris’s iconic red clay.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
