Sabalenka Races Into French Open Second Round As Crowd Boos Kostyuk

A 6-3 6-2 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk on Sunday ensured that Aryna Sabalenka started her Roland Garros campaign on a winning note.

She is now through to the second round of this year's French Open in her bid to win her first-ever Grand Slam in Paris.

The early exchanges saw stiff resistance from Kostyuk until the Belarusian reeled off a succession of games to clinch the first set 6-3.

Sabalenka then kept up the pressure in the second set to close out the win in 71 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Having emerged victorious, some parts of the crowd jeered and booed, leaving the world number two perplexed.

But the booing and jeering were triggered by Kostyuk's refusal to shake hands with Sabalenka due to the involvement of Belarus in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"It was a very tough match, I mean tough emotionally," said the Australian Open champion.

"I'm sorry guys, I didn't get it at first, I thought this booing was against me so I was a little surprised.

"But then I felt your support, so thank you so much, it's really important.

"That win [the Australian Open] was one of my goals, I was super happy.

"Actually, I thought that my first Grand Slam would be the French Open, I have no idea why.

"It's kind of another goal, and I'm doing everything I can to bring my best tennis on court."

Sabalenka remains a heavy favourite to claim the French Open title but will need to be at her very best to overthrow the defending champion and world number one, Iga Swiatek.