French Open: The Early Rounds
Rain, rain, go away: the bad weather washed out much of the action on Day 1 and Day 2, delaying or postponing several matches.
Last year’s finalist Lucie Safarova shined despite the rain.
Love means nothing: Heather Watson got a win over her doubles partner Nicole Gibbs in the first round. They’d share a court again on Wednesday for their doubles opener.
Not the end: Francesca Schiavone set the record straight. The 35 year old’s career isn’t over, despite losing in the first round to France’s Kristina Mladenovic.
Cagla Buyukakcay keeps making history: in Istanbul, she became the first Turkish woman to win a title and break into the WTA Top 100. In Paris, she was the first to enter the main draw and win a match at a Grand Slam.
Angelique Kerber’s post-Australian Open woes continue: she becomes the second Aussie Open champion in three years to lose first round of the French Open.
Victoria Azarenka’s French Open bid was cut short by a knee pain that forced her to retire against Karin Knapp.
Despite winning her first title of the year in Strasbourg, France’s Caroline Garcia couldn’t catch a break in Paris.
Exacting standards: ever the champion, World No1. Serena Williams rues a missed shot… despite her near-flawless 44-minute 6-2, 6-0 first-round victory.
As always, the French Open served up a lot of interesting tennis fashion. Some was more traditional…
…while some leaned more toward avant garde. Even though Simona Halep’s dress gave a lot to talk about, in the end the victory was all that counted.