By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff dominated her first-round match at Roland Garros, defeating Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour.
Gauff remains undefeated in opening matches at the French Open, breaking Gadecki six times and winning 62% of points in her opponent’s service games.
“I’m just happy to get through today and I will remember my racquets for next time, 21-year-old said afterwards.”
Displaying her empty bag to her team and showing them where her racquets should have been, Gauff was able to laugh about the issue with Gadecki before a ball kid delivered them.
“Honestly, I thought they put the racquets in the bag. My side court bag is filled with drinks so it felt like I had enough weight,” Gauff told TNT Sports.
“Then I got on court, and I opened the first zipper. I was like, ‘OK, no racquets’. The second zipper… ‘Oh my God. I went on court with no racquets'”.
She added: “I made fun of Frances [Tiafoe] for it in Madrid but now I’ll be quiet.
“I am blaming it on my coach.”
Earlier, Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beats Cristina Bucsa to advance – despite joking she did not like her early morning wake-up call.
Meanwhile two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur suffered an early exit in a 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 defeat by Poland’s Magdalena Frech.
American third seed Jessica Pegula cruised into the second round with a 6-2 6-4 victory against Romania’s Anca Todoni.
Elsewhere Cameron Norrie claimed one of his best victories of the year with a five-set triumph over world number 11 Daniil Medvedev in a see-saw French Open first-round match.