Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

French Open 2022: Iga Swiatek beats Lesia Tsurenko as Naomi Osaka loses

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Monday, 23 May 2022 06:56

World number one Iga Swiatek underlined why she is the overwhelming favourite for the French Open with a rapid first-round win over Lesia Tsurenko.

Poland's Swiatek showed all her quality in a 6-2 6-0 victory that took just 54 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 20-year-old, who won Roland Garros in 2020, extended her winning streak to 29 matches by beating the Ukrainian.

Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka were knocked out.

Czech second seed Krejcikova, who has been sidelined this year with an elbow injury, looked like she was heading for a straightforward win before French 19-year-old Diane Parry fought back to triumph 1-6 6-2 6-3 in front of a delighted home crowd on Chatrier.

Japanese former world number one Osaka was beaten 7-5 6-4 by Amanda Anisimova in a high quality encounter.

American Anisimova, who reached the French Open semi-finals in 2019, will face Croatia's Donna Vekic in round two.

'I know the streak will some day stop'

Few women have begun a Grand Slam with the odds stacked as heavily in their favour as Swiatek does in Paris.

Since a run to the Australian Open semi-finals in January, she has dominated the women's game and won her past five tournaments.

She claimed titles in Doha and Indian Wells, then became world number one following Australian Ashleigh Barty's shock retirement in March.

A few days later Swiatek won the Miami Open, then went on to triumph in Stuttgart and Rome.

The power and accuracy of her groundstrokes, plus near-impenetrable defensive skills, have proved too good for her opponents, with Tsurenko the latest to be swatted aside.

"It was a pretty good match for me," said Swiatek, who has won 42 of her past 43 sets.

"I just want to keep going. I know the streak will some day stop but I'm just focusing on my game and not the numbers."

Swiatek will face American Alison Riske or Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska in the second round.

Anisimova punishes rusty Osaka

Osaka, who struggled with an Achilles injury in the build-up to the tournament, served eight double faults as she was let down by her serve.

She said she was worried about the reception she would receive on her return to Paris after withdrawing from last year's event because of mental health struggles.

Both she and Anisimova were warmly received by the crowd on Suzanne Lenglen, with the fans rallying behind Osaka as she fought to keep Anisimova at bay.

After fighting back from an early break of serve, Osaka was broken on a huge double fault at 5-5 in the opening set.

Anisimova then produced a near-flawless service game to take the opening set with a forehand winner.

She dealt with pressure from Osaka in the second set, breaking on a double fault and saving three break points in the next game to keep a 5-3 lead.

Anisimova created three match points on her serve and looked shaky as she sent two into the net, before a winner down the line wrapped up victory.

Elsewhere, 2020 semi-finalist Petra Kvitovaadvanced with a 7-6 (7-0) 6-1 win over Hungary's Anna Bondar.

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescucame within three points of defeat before rallying to beat Germany's Ysaline Bonaventure 3-6 7-5 6-0.

Read 136 times

Soccer

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

EmailPrintUnited States women's national team midfielder Korbin Albert apologized on Thursday for pr...

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

EmailPrintLeicester City manager Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position after an internal...

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe agent of Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has criticised the...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will not play again this season...

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

EmailPrintFormer G League player Chance Comanche, who was charged with the murder of a woman whose b...

Baseball

Opening Day takeaways: What we learned from a wild start to the 2024 MLB season

Opening Day takeaways: What we learned from a wild start to the 2024 MLB season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWhat an MLB Opening Day!All 30 teams were scheduled to be in action...

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- That Juan Soto's first signature Yankee moment happened...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated