The No.4 seed reeled off 10 successive games in the heart of the match to advance to the second round in Paris.
World No.4 Elena Rybakina fired a warning shot to her title rivals with an authoritative 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Greet Minnen on Tuesday.
The Kazakh will meet world No.50 Arantxa Rus or three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in the second round.
Here is what we learned from this rapid-fire Court Suzanne-Lenglen encounter…
This is perhaps a thing we know, but it was important to see the 24-year-old on court in Paris first. With all the talk of favourites, Rybakina is already playing like she's well within the mix to be crowned champion.
Having lost the first six points, the 2022 Wimbledon winner soon clicked into her brand of relentless, yet graceful tennis.
Maybe it's more that we learned she's due a deep run in the French capital, having posted a previous best showing into the quarter-finals in 2021. Last summer Rybakina withdrew prior to the third round with a respiratory illness – the No.4 seed is clearly intent on making up for lost time.
"Last year I missed out on this tournament, it was really hard to take," she said. "So I'm very happy to be back and compete here."
A title on clay in Stuttgart, which included a three set victory over Iga Swiatek, and then the Madrid semi-final, a 'match of the season' contender, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) loss at the hands of Aryna Sabalenka, have also enhanced her title credentials this fortnight.
©Philippe Montigny / FFTOf course, the Rybakina serve is a potent weapon and provides the platform for numerous victories.
Take Tuesday on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, where she rifled down five aces and landed 39 of 59 first serves in.
Even at 5-3, serving for the match, Rybakina fell 0-30 down giving a sense the tide was turning. Not so, she delivered two huge unreturned serves, an acrobatic backhand volley and a rumbling forehand. In a flash the 24-year-old had booked her second-round ticket.
There is so much more to the Kazakh's toolbox than a booming delivery and blazing groundstrokes.
Rybakina transitions up the court with ease in just a few strides. She advanced to the net 21 times with great effect, succeeding in 14 points.
From 0-2 down in the first set to lead 4-0 in the second, she ripped through 10 games with great versatility – with overheads, passing shots, drop shots – and there is a sense she can get even better this fortnight.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTDuring her on-court interview, Rybakina emphasised the importance of staying calm on and off the court during a Grand Slam.
She pointed out the work of her team, praising coach Stefano Vukov, who guided her to Wimbledon glory two years ago.
"Most of the time I focus on myself. Of course, we go through the tactics with my coach and putting it all together, we are doing a great job with the team. I'm playing really well now."
It’s hard to argue against that. The shotmaking and results back that up.
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
