French Open: Coco Gough, Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka power through second round at Roland-Garros | tennis news

Reigning French Open champion Coco Gough recovered from a strong start to beat fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-0 as she began her title defense in style.

Elsewhere the top seed in the women’s draw Arina Sabalenka and the 16th seed Naomi Osaka Also progress.

On a baking Court Philippe-Chatrier, Goff struggled to find her range early and was one point away from slipping two breaks behind.

But the fourth seed quickly regained his composure to take control and safely advance to the second round.

Goff double-faulted at set point 5-3 in the opener but Townsend broke serve in the next game to take the lead.

After that it was one-way traffic as he raced to victory.

“I have a lot of great memories on this court,” said Gough, who beat Sabalenka in the final last year.

“I was a little nervous going out, which showed a bit, but I was able to find my composure.”

Sabalenka: Heatwave is perfect for my game

Top-seeded Sabalenka took advantage of the heat at the French Open to impose her aggressive game in the first round.

Sabalenka beat 50th-ranked Jessica Bujas Maneiro 6-4 6-2 with a net and volley put-away to Philippe-Chatrier.

“That’s the most enjoyable part of the game right now — that I’m able to get out there to the net to play the point,” Sabalenka said. “I’m extremely proud that I was able to improve that part of the game.”

The unusually hot conditions at Roland-Garros make net-rushing – usually better reserved for hard and grass-courts – a viable option as the courts dry quickly and play quickly.

For the third day in a row, temperatures in Paris were forecast to rise by at least 32 degrees.

“Let’s hope that this is the perfect condition for me,” Sabalenka added. “It suits my game really well.”

Sabalenka won the Australian Open and the US Open on hard courts.

Osaka is glowing with victory against Sigmund

Osaka turned heads with another scintillating Grand Slam fashion statement, with the former world No. 1 striking tennis as she eased past unseeded German Laura Sigmund 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in the first round.

Months after dazzling in a jellyfish-inspired dress at the Australian Open, Osaka walked Suzanne Lenglen on court before unveiling a layered yellow-brown and gold match dress in a sequined coat blouse and a black mesh floor-length train.

Siegmund, much more sloppy in dress, held his own as the contest began but four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka quickly took control of the opening set and closed it out with the minimum of fuss.

The scorching afternoon sun made things more difficult for the players, allowing Osaka to change the momentum in the next set but the 16th seed saved a set point to force a tie-break 5-3 and prevail.

Despite his confident pre-match display, the American admitted that his choice of clothing gave him some brief on-court concerns.

“Athletes are in show business,” Osaka said after the match. “The Grand Slam walk-on is the only time I probably think I’m an entertainer.

“I was actually a little worried, because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot. So I was a little afraid that the umpire would kick me off the court,” he said. “So I had two back-up normal Nike outfits.”

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