French Open 2024: 'Really happy' Elena Rybakina cruises to victory over Greet Minnen to progress at Roland-Garros

Elena Rybakina completed a straight-sets victory over Greet Minnen to open her French Open campaign in commanding fashion. The Kazakh star, currently ranked fourth in the world, dropped the first two games of the morning before storming back. She will now face either Angelique Kerber or Arantxa Rus in the next round, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

French Open highlights - Rybakina overcomes Minnen in fine fashion

Video credit: TNT Sports

Elena Rybakina began her quest for French Open glory with a 6-2 6-3 triumph over Greet Minnen.

The world No. 4 is searching for her second Grand Slam, having won Wimbledon in 2022, with her previous best performance at Roland-Garros being a quarter-final appearance in 2021.

Her 2024 campaign on the clay courts of southern Paris began poorly, as underdog Minnen broke to take the first game.

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The Belgian - who has never made it past round one at this tournament in six attempts - then held her serve to take a 2-0 lead. It was all of Rybakina's own making, as she produced six successive unforced errors.

From then on it turned out to simply be an extended practice session for Rybakina, who decided to take complete control.

The 24-year-old blasted to a 6-2 victory in the first set, coming back from 40-0 in the final game as Minnen's good start faded away.

Rybakina's run came as part of a 10-game streak, including three to love, as she took a 4-0 lead in the second.

Her faltering opponent then held serve to interrupt the dominance and get a game back. Rybakina won the next back-and-forth game and moved to match point on her own serve, but Minnen denied her to make it 5-2.

'Really happy to be back' - Rybakina delighted to reach second round with ease

Video credit: TNT Sports

That was one of three times she broke the one-time Wimbledon champion, finding a second wind from being on the verge of defeat.

With the lead cut to 5-3 and down 30-0, Rybakina then turned on the afterburners again, digging out two huge first serves and getting herself to match point again. It was squandered at the first attempt, but the victory followed moments later.

Following the 73-minute outing - which became slightly edgier than she'd have liked - Rybakina said: "I'm playing really well now. Really happy. Last year I missed this tournament and it was really hard.

"The ball is a little bit heavier [on the slightly wet court], but that's tennis, you need to adjust with the rainy weather."

Rybakina pulled out of the Italian Open earlier this month, as one of several tournaments she has pulled out of through injury this year - though has still enjoyed an impressive 2024 on the WTA Tour.

Rybakina clinches victory over Minnen in straight sets in opener

Video credit: TNT Sports

Indeed, she has reached five finals in total, with victories at the Brisbane International, Abu Dhabi Open and Stuttgart Open.

Rybakina will play either Angelique Kerber or Arantxa Rus in the next round, with that pair due to face off on Tuesday afternoon - though being on an outdoor court, the weather may have its say.

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You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

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