PARIS (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka’s victory at the French Open lit up the court, not just because of her skill but also her dazzling jewelry. Under the bright sun, the world’s top-ranked player defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with ease, winning 6-4, 6-2.
Sabalenka, the runner-up from last year, wore two thick necklaces, feeling stylish and light on her feet. “Jewelry doesn’t weigh me down,” she said, explaining that looking good boosts her performance. “When I feel confident in my outfit, I play better.” She originally planned to wear three necklaces but opted for two, finding that balance worked best for her.
When it comes to protecting her accessories off the court, Sabalenka has her fiancé by her side, calling him her “security.” She also joked about her physio’s jujitsu skills, saying, “If I go somewhere, I don’t go alone.”
Other players made headlines as well. Coco Gauff, starting her title defense, swept past Taylor Townsend, winning 6-4, 6-0. Naomi Osaka also put on a show with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) win against Laura Siegemund, all while wearing a striking sequined gold dress.
The weather hasn’t been kind to players, with temperatures in Paris soaring to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for several days in a row. Gauff, hailing from Florida, seemed unfazed. “This is nothing. Shout-out to Delray Beach!” she said, keeping her spare rackets cool by the court.
Daniil Medvedev faced a surprising early exit. Despite the fast courts usually suiting his style, he lost in a five-set battle against Adam Walton, who is ranked 97th. Medvedev expressed frustration, noting his struggles at Roland Garros, which have become a trend—this is his second first-round exit here in a row.
Meanwhile, top seed Jannik Sinner extended his winning streak to 30 matches with an easy win over French wild card entry Clement Tabur. Sinner is eyeing his first big title, while Stefanos Tsitsipas led his match before Alexandre Muller retired due to injury.
Among the rising stars, 17-year-old Moïse Kouamé made quite an impression by defeating Marin Cilic, marking an exciting start to his French Open campaign. Kouamé is now the first man born in 2008 to win a Grand Slam match, having previously made history at the Miami Masters.
The atmosphere in Paris is electric, blending fierce competition with personal flair. As players navigate tough matches and intense heat, their stories and styles shine just as brightly as the trophies they’re chasing.
For more tennis updates, visit AP Tennis.
Source link
Naomi Osaka, Jannik Sinner, Tennis, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Daniil Medvedev, French Open Tennis Championships, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Townsend, Mose Kouam, Marin Cilic, Adam Walton, Clement Tabur, Alexandre Muller, Laura Siegemund, French Open, Sports, Lois Boisson, Jan-Lennard Struff, Alexander Blockx, Zachary Svajda, Anna Kalinskaya, Gael Monfils, Alexander Bublik, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alex De Minaur
