Sabalenka takes advantage of heat wave in French Open win. Medvedev loses in 5 sets
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka beats 50th-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 in her opening match at the French Open as the heat wave continues in Paris
PARIS -- Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka took advantage of the heat wave at the French Open to impose her attacking game in the first round Tuesday.
Daniil Medvedev struggled, though, in a five-set loss to 97th-ranked Australian opponent Adam Walton.
Sabalenka beat 50th-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier with an array of approaches to the net and volley put-aways.
“That’s the most enjoyable part of the game right now -- that I’m able to come to the net to play points there,” Sabalenka said. “I’m super 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 because the court is drying out quicker and playing faster.
For a third consecutive day, the temperature in Paris was forecast to rise to at least 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit).
“Let’s hope that this is the perfect condition for me,” Sabalenka said. “It suits my game really well.”
Sabalenka reached the final in Paris last year, losing to Coco Gauff. She has won the Australian Open and the U.S. Open on hard courts.
Gauff was opening her title defense later against fellow American Taylor Townsend.
Also advancing was 17th-seeded Iva Jovic, who beat good friend Alexandra Eala 6-4, 6-2.
Walton, who received a wild card invitation from tournament organizers, beat Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4.
Later, top-ranked Jannik Sinner looks to extend his 29-match winning streak when he opens against French wild card Clement Tabur in the night session.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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