Aryna Sabalenka overcame a slow start against Jil Teichmann to reach the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.
Sabalenka, who dropped just one game in her opening match, faced far more resistance against Teichmann, but was able to emerge a 6-3 6-1 victor at Roland-Garros.
The world number one was stunned in the third game of the opening set, with her Swiss opponent finding an early break of serve, though Sabalenka quickly composed herself.
Sabalenka was able to break against Teichmann in the sixth game before reeling off the next three, though was only able to convert set point at the fourth time of asking.
After going up a set, Sabalenka struck a stinging backhand winner to grab another break in the opening game of the second, and never looked likely to surrender her lead.Â
She delivered the final blow in the form of a break in the seventh game, finishing when Teichmann sent a shot long to continue her bid for a maiden Paris crown.Â
Up next for Sabalenka is Olga Danilovic, who downed Danielle Collins 6-4 3-6 6-4 earlier in the day.Â
Data Debrief: Super Sab powers through
Sabalenka's resilience and ruthlessness proved key in this contest, saving five of the six break points she faced, while also being able to convert five of the eight she created.Â
Indeed, the Belarusian has now won 31 matches in straight sets in 2025, more than the total wins of any other player so far this season (including straight and three-setters).Â
And her struggles against Tiechmann will give confidence to third-round opponent Danilovic, who is also a tricky left-handed player.Â
Sabalenka won her only previous meeting with the Serbian, also on clay, back at the Madrid Open qualifying second round in 2018.Â
