Sabalenka, Gauff thrive in French Open heat

PARIS: Aryna Sabalenka began her French Open campaign with a comfortable win on Tuesday as fellow world number one Jannik Sinner prepared to open his bid for a career Grand Slam in the night session.
The Belarusian top seed hurried through a 6-4, 6-2 win against Spanish world number 50 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro as temperatures continued to soar through the first week of the tournament.
The only real blip for Sabalenka as she returned to winning ways on clay after a surprise early exit from the Italian Open was her failure to serve out the match on Court Philippe Chatrier.
But the four-time major winner broke in the next game to book her spot in the second round after just 75 minutes on court.
'I'm super happy to be through. I feel like it was a tricky first-round opponent,' Sabalenka said.
'I'd say that for me always not easy, the first rounds. And then, as I get further in the tournament, as I get more comfortable, my level becomes better.'
Sabalenka will face France's Elsa Jacquemot in the round of 64.
Following a wet and cold Italian Open earlier in May and similar conditions during the practice week at Roland Garros, the big-hitting 28-year-old said the scorching conditions played somewhat in her favour.
'I'd say that it was a bit warm,' she joked.
'Especially compared to the first days when I first got here, it was like 14C, like, freezing.
'Now it's boiling hot and balls are flying, everything is much faster. But physically I feel strong, so I feel like it can benefit me.'
Women's defending champion Coco Gauff made short work of fellow American Taylor Townsend, kicking off her tournament with a clinical 6-4, 6-0 performance.
The fourth seed joked the heat was 'nothing' as she grew up in Florida, but added: 'Honestly I felt more bad for the fans. Dang you're watching in the heat and I hoped no one passed out. So I'm glad I finished quickly.'
Gauff will next meet Egyptian qualifier Mayar Sherif.
OSAKA THROUGH
Naomi Osaka turned heads with another sparkling Grand Slam ​fashion statement and the former world number one matched it with striking tennis to dismantle unseeded German Laura Siegemund 6-3 7-6(3) in the first round.
Months after dazzling with a jellyfish-inspired outfit at the Australian Open, ⁠Osaka walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a sequined ⁠waistcoat blouse and a black mesh floor-length train before unveiling a layered yellow-brown and gold match dress.
'Honestly it's very couture,' Osaka said in ‌her on-court interview about her kit. 'Funnily ​enough, I feel ⁠like ... you know the Eiffel Tower at ​night when it's sparkly? I ‌think I look like that a bit.'
'I felt really nervous ​but for me, I haven't played on ⁠this court in ​a little while, so it's nice to get out here and play in front of everyone,' Osaka added.
'It's really hot so I hope everyone is drinking water.'
Osaka takes on ​2024 Paris Olympics silver medallist Donna Vekic in ​the next round after the Croat eased past local hope Alice Tubello.

MEDVEDEV OUT
Russian sixth seed Daniil Medvedev went down in five sets to Australian wildcard Adam Walton.
It was the seventh time in 10 French Open appearances that the former world number one has fallen in the first round.
'I know that I am in good shape and I can play well in Roland Garros. I can,' Medvedev said.
'It's just tougher for me, and first rounds are usually tougher for me, but I will always come here.'
Rising US star Iva Jovic, 18, further confirmed her potential as she strolled past Alexandra Eala 6-4, 6-2 to book a clash with compatriot and former world number eight Emma Navarro, who defeated Indonesian Janice Tjen in straight sets.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2021 runner-up, moved past the round of 128 as his French opponent Alexandre Muller retired injured when trailing 6-2, 3-0.
French 17-year-old Moise Kouame won his first match at his home major; an impressive 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-1 victory over 2014 US Open winner Marin Cilic of Croatia. — AFP
French Open results
Men (first round)
Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) bt Tallon Griekspoor (NED x29) 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3; Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) bt Alexandre Muller (FRA) 6-2, 3-0 retired; Daniel Vallejo (PAR) bt Cameron Norrie (GBR x20) 7-6 (9/7), 2-0 retired; Moise Kouame (FRA) bt Marin Cilic (CRO) 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-1; Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) bt Kamil Majchrzak (POL) 6-1, 6-3, 6-4; Valentin Vacherot (MON x16) bt Thomas Faurel (FRA) 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6); Facundo Diaz (ARG) bt Zhang Zhizhen (CHN) 6-1, 6-4, 6-3; Zachary Svajda (USA) bt Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5; Adam Walton (AUS) bt Daniil Medvedev (RUS x6) 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4
Women (first round)
Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x1) bt Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP) 6-4, 6-2; Iva Jovic (USA x17) bt Alexandra Eala (PHI) 6-4, 6-2; Emma Navarro (USA) bt Janice Tjen (INA) 6-4, 6-3; Donna Vekic (CRO) bt Alice Tubello (FRA) 6-3, 6-2; Coco Gauff (USA x4) bt Taylor Townsend (USA) 6-4, 6-0; Mayar Sherif (EGY) bt Dalma Galfi (HUN) 7-5, 6-4; Maria Sakkari (GRE) bt Linda Noskova (CZE x12) 7-5, 7-6 (7/3); Claire Liu (USA) bt Moyuka Uchijima (JPN) 3-6, 6-0, 4-1 retired; Ann Li (USA x30) bt Zhang Shuai (CHN) 6-4, 6-2