Rybakina Sees Off Noskova, Reaches French Open Third Round

Fourth seed Elena Rybakina has extended her stay at this year's French Open following her triumph over rising Czech teenager Linda Noskova on Thursday.

The Wimbledon champion beat 18-year-old Noskova 6-3 6-3 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Rybakina looked at ease on clay despite her game being more suited to quicker surfaces.

She hit 30 winners to Noskova's 16 to set up a third round meeting with Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain.

“I think that, first of all, my first WTA win (in 2019) was on clay, so from that point I thought I actually can play on clay,” Rybakina told reporters.

“I think it depends where, the conditions, how is the weather, balls. 

"Even here it’s quite different from Rome, the tournament I just won.

“But I think that I can play good. Just with experience over the years and matches I can get just better and better (on clay).” 

The match outcome extended Rybakina's winning streak to eight matches following her first WTA 1000 clay-court title in Rome two weeks ago. 

She is already feeling confident in Paris and is banking on her height advantage at 6-foot (1.8-metre) to go all the way to the final to claim the title at Roland Garros.

“This is my good weapon,” she said, “but, at the same time, to move on clay it’s not easy. 

"It’s always I need more to prepare and, of course, be more patient during the rallies.”