Dominance from Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina in easing into round three of 2024 French Open

The first two big clashes at the 2024 French Open on Thursday is complete with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina powering through with relative ease to the third round.

Sabalenka sealed a 6-2, 6-2 win defeating Moyuka Uchijima in just 62 minutes. One day after Naomi Osaka took to the main court, it was the turn of the current Japanese No.1 who had won 19 matches in a row including three consecutive ITF titles across two surfaces before qualifying in Paris.

Albeit Sabalenka is an uphill task with the World No.2 well known for showing her class against lower ranked opposition and using her experience to not give any mercy and that was certainly the case here. Sabalenka demonstrated that the gulf in class was all there to see. Level early on, Sabalenka captured the opening break of the match and went 3-2 up and did not relinquish control from there. Sabalenka saved just four break points throughout the match and all were at 4-2 in the second set. She hit 27 winners to 10 from Uchjima and produced some epic drop shots en route. Next up is either her best friend, Paula Badosa or Yulia Putintseva.

Whilst Elena Rybakina who was also in the early slot out on Court Suzanne-Lenglen also made light work of Arantxa Rus. This match was a surprise in itself with Angelique Kerber seen as more likely to set up this clash.

Albeit she did face same adversity. She was 4-2 down in the second set and had to retake the match by the scruff of the neck to surge through winning 4 straight games from there in order to move through. It wasn't easy, but also exhibited once more the utter excellence of the World No.4.

Rybakina is now through and faces Elise Mertens or Petra Martic in the third round. Two of the main favourites for the title this fortnight behind Iga Swiatek through with utter ease.