Roland Garros 2026 Women’s Day 3

A blinged-up Aryna Sabalenka began her French Open campaign in the Tuesday midday heat, with the top seed staying in control for a 6-4, 6-2 start against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro to move into the second round,

The top seed took to the court wearing two diamond necklaces – and said she had to control her impulses in order not to don a third.

“Diamonds, I don’t really feel the heaviness, but I can imagine how it looks from the outside,” she said. “So I feel pretty comfortable. For me, it’s important to look good.

”I like to bring a little bit of fashion on the tennis court.

“I know the dress that I will wear on the Grand Slam, and I just try to come up with something to match the outfit.”

The world No. 1 who lost the final a year ago to Coco Gauff had to work after letting slip a 5-2 lead in an opening set marred by five service breaks.

In the second set, Bouzas Maneiro rallied briefly from 5-0 down, breaking Sabalenka for 2-5 with a forehand winner down the line.

The top seed returned the favour a game later to earn the win.

“It was a tricky first-round opponent. I’m happy with the level I played, happy with the fight I brought,” the winner said. “I’m just happy to be through this first-round match.”

Sabalenka added: “The further I get in the tournament, the more comfortable I get, my level becomes better. The first one is the toughest one. 

“There are no easy matches anymore, but, emotions-wise, the first one is always the tricky one.”  

Defending champion Gauff got away to a quick win, taking 82 minutes for a 6-4, 6- defeat of US compatriot Taylor Townsend.

No. 17 Iva Jovic won a battle of rising talents, defeating Alexandra Eala 6-4, 6-2 to stop the Filipina in Paris for the second edition in a row.

Former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari, who came within a point of the 2021 final, came from 5-2 down in the second set against Czech 12th seed Linda Noskova for a 7-5, 7-6 (3) win.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who has never gone past the third round in Paris, wore a Goth-style long black dress to the pre-match meeting at the net before ditching the garment to reveal a sparkling tennis dress.

The Japanese former world No. 1 dispatched Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (3).