TENNIS: Swiatek cruises, Wawrinka and Monfils conclude French Open chapters

PARIS — Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek opened her Roland Garros campaign in commanding fashion on Monday, cruising into the second round with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Australia’s Emerson Jones as she seeks a seventh Grand Slam title.

Swiatek, who has struggled for rhythm in recent months, looked sharp on Court Philippe-Chatrier, dictating play from the baseline and quickly reasserting her dominance on clay. She said afterward that it was one of her most controlled performances in recent weeks, crediting her consistency from the opening game to the finish.

While Swiatek advanced comfortably, the day carried an emotional tone as veteran Swiss star Stan Wawrinka played what is expected to be his final French Open match, falling 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong. The 2015 champion received a warm tribute from fans and fellow players following his exit from Court Simonne Mathieu.

Another veteran bidding farewell to Paris, France’s Gael Monfils, also bowed out in dramatic fashion after a five-set loss to compatriot Hugo Gaston, 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0. Monfils, who plans to retire at the end of the season, was unable to complete a comeback in front of the home crowd.

Conditions in Paris proved punishing throughout the day, with several players struggling in the heat. Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen suffered a 6-4, 6-0 defeat to Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, later citing difficult court conditions and high temperatures that disrupted her rhythm.

Twice French Open finalist Casper Ruud also battled extreme heat in a five-set win over Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin. Ruud required medical attention during the match and described experiencing dizziness and severe fatigue before recovering to close out a 6-2, 7-6(5), 5-7, 0-6, 6-2 victory.

In the women’s draw, Rome champion Elina Svitolina survived a major scare, overcoming Anna Bondar 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(10-3) in a tense three-set battle to advance to the next round.

There was also a breakout moment for Spain’s Rafael Jodar, who impressed on his Grand Slam main draw debut with a dominant 6-1, 6-0, 6-4 win over Aleksandar Kovacevic, signaling rising expectations around the young Spaniard.

Elsewhere in the draw, world number two Elena Rybakina eased past Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2, while Italy’s Matteo Berrettini returned to Paris with a four-set win over Marton Fucsovics.

American fifth seed Ben Shelton advanced with a straight-sets victory over Daniel Merida Aguilar, while Russia’s Andrey Rublev overcame Ignacio Buse in four sets. Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis also survived a marathon five-set battle against Terence Atmane.

In the women’s draw, former runner-up Jasmine Paolini, Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, Anastasia Potapova, Amanda Anisimova, and 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko all secured routine wins to progress into the next round.

As the opening days of Roland Garros unfold, the tournament continues to blend rising talent, veteran farewells, and punishing conditions that are already shaping the early narrative in Paris. -Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Julien Pretot in Paris; Additional reporting by Vincent Daheron; Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Sanjeev Miglani/Reuters