Need to stay humble: Iga Swiatek after cruising through French Open first-round

Iga Swiatek delivered a clinical start to her French Open campaign, taking just one hour to beat 136th-ranked debutant Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in the first round on Monday at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris.

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The four-time champion was in complete control throughout the match on a hot day in the French capital, easing through despite a sparse crowd in attendance. The world No. 3 rarely looked troubled as she dictated proceedings from the baseline and quickly wrapped up a straightforward opening-round win.

The only brief concern for Swiatek came after the first set when she required a medical timeout to have the middle finger of her right hand re-taped due to an apparent blister. She returned without any visible discomfort and continued to dominate the contest, sealing a comfortable passage into the next round.

"I'm just really happy to play on this court," she said as quoted by AP. "First matches are always also for getting used to the condition tactically and type of the ball."

The Four-time champion Swiatek has not won a title on clay this season and recently made changes to her team. She hired Francisco Roig as the new coach, who has previously worked with record 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal.

"Nothing comes easy," Swiatek said. "With more titles it's even a bit harder because everyone expects you to be ready always and play perfectly. So you need to stay humble and not take anything for granted and work your way from the beginning of the tournament."

With the temperature due to rise to 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit), Swiatek did well to make short work of her 17-year-old Australian opponent, who received a wild-card invitation from Roland Garros organizers.

Also advancing was Jasmine Paolini, who lost the 2024 final to Swiatek. The Italian beat Dayana Yastremska 7-5, 6-3. While, second seed Elena Rybakina powered into the next round with a dominant straight-sets victory, defeating Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2 in convincing fashion.

In men's action, eighth-seeded Alex De Minaur defeated Toby Samuel 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Later in the day, 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka and fan favourite Gael Monfils also took to the court in what is expected to be their final appearances at the French Open, with both players set to retire at the end of the year.

The 41-year-old Wawrinka took on qualifier Jesper de Jong, who took the spot of Arthur Fils after the top French player withdrew due to a hip issue. Wawrinka lost the tie 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 as the Dutchman de Jong shocked the Swiss. Monfils will play fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the night session.