By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Photo credit: Robert Prange/Getty
Mercury was menacing and Aryna Sabalenka was scalding in her Roland Garros opener.
World No. 1 Sabalenka broke serve six times sweeping Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 to roll into the Roland Garros second round in 75 minutes.
In her first French Open match since bowing to Coco Gauff in the 2025 final, Sabalenka surged out to leads of 4-0 in the first set and 5-0 in the second and never trailed.
Launching her hunt for a maiden Roland Garros crown, Sabalenka led 5-4 when she roared through six straight games to seize total command.
Though she endured sloppy stretches in both sets, Sabalenka spent much of the match calling the shots.
The reigning US Open champion cracked 29 winners—20 more than Bouzas Maneiro—against 25 unforced errors.
Sabalenka, who has been working on shortening points, won 13 of 18 trips to net.
“That’s the most enjoyable part of the game right now, that I’m able to come to the net and play points there,” Sabalenka said. “I’m so glad I have improved that part of the game and I can bring it on court.
“It is hot. Thanks so much for staying and don’t forget to stay hydrated guys, it’s pretty hot out here.”
Sunshine Double champion Sabalenka handled the heat and brought it as well raising her 2026 record to 28-3, including a WTA-best 25 straight-sets victories.
While Sabalenka will want to clean up some of the unforced errors that crept into her game after building big leads in both sets, she closed with command.
Sabalenka converted her second match point on a Bouzas Maneiro double fault.
The top-seeded Sabalenka, who has suffered two of her three losses on red clay this season, will play either 149th-ranked Czech qualifier Linda Fruhvirtova or Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot in round two.
After high-stepping into round two, Sabalenka descended the Court Philippe Chatrier steps dancing in the latest installment of her French Open dance-off vs. Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic, who unveiled his own steps following his first-round win ending with “Beat that, Aryna” challenge.