First day of French Open in Paris
Aryna Sabalenka crushes Kamilla Rakhimova in just 60 minutes
World number one Sabalenka bidding for first Roland Garros title
Tournament planning tribute to Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier
American Ben Shelton faces Lorenzo Sonego in first night session later
Listen to live radio commentary using player at top of page (UK only)
Sabalenka 6-1 2-0 Rakhimova*
A huge roar from Kamilla Rakhimova as Aryna Sabalenka gives her a chance with a drop shot, the Russian burying a forehand on the run.
The danger is far from over, but Rakhimova dismisses a third break point in this game. A first show of frustration on the face of Sabalenka, she wants this done asap.
Image source, ReutersSabalenka 6-1 2-0 Rakhimova*
Aryna Sabalenka just loses focus and fires long on her second break point to give Kamilla Rakhimova some temporary relief at deuce.
Sabalenka 6-1 2-0 Rakhimova*
Aryna Sabalenka crashes a forehand into the corner for 15-30, before Kamilla Rakhimova yields at the baseline.
Another break point. Rakhimova has run out of ideas.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 6-1 2-0 Rakhimova*
Aryna Sabalenka is looking unstoppable as she extends her run of points to lead 40-0, before wrapping up another straightforward hold after a brief blip as she misses the baseline.
*Sabalenka 6-1 1-0 Rakhimova
Can Kamilla Rakhimova get off to a positive start in set two?
The Russian takes the opening point but can't take charge from there as Aryna Sabalenka continues exactly where she left off in the opener.
A series of unforced errors from Rakhimova hand Sabalenka the break. One-way traffic.
An impressive start so far by Aryna Sabalenka.
The world number one is undoubtedly among the main threats to Iga Swiatek's bid to become the first woman to win four consecutive French Open titles.
Sabalenka replaced Swiatek as world number one towards the end of 2024, having won two of the four Grand Slams that year.
The Belarusian, runner-up at the Australian Open in January, is in imperious form, as we have seen today.
She won the Madrid Open in the build-up to Roland Garros and has won 34 of her 40 matches this season.
We already have one notable name through to the second round of the women's singles at Roland Garros.
Elina Svitolina has cruised through her first match in just 72 minutes, winning 6-1 6-1 against Zeynep Somnez of Turkey.
The 13th seed from Ukraine has reached the French Open quarter-finals four times, most recently in 2023, but no further.
Image source, Getty Images
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
No sign of nerves at all, very business like. Sabalenka imposes her personality on every match she plays in.
Rakhimova looked very unhappy with the way that set played out, but I don't think she had much chance.
Sabalenka 6-1 0-0 Rakhimova*
Aryna Sabalenka is caught out by Kamilla Rakhimova's latest drop shot attempt to draw her opponent off the baseline, sending the ball long for 30-30.
But Sabalenka lands a powerful first serve, which she follows with an ace, to take the first set in just 26 minutes.
Very, very impressive.
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Absolutely stunning from Sabalenka - not just the power, but the defensive skills, chasing the ball down. She always asks questions of her opponent, then that passing shot was stunning.
She's an intimidating opponent for anyone.
Image source, Reuters*Sabalenka 5-1 Rakhimova
Aryna Sabalenka looks to be on the back foot before sending a blistering backhand down the line on her way to setting up a couple of break points. Superb.
Ah, and that's a frustrating miss at the net for Kamilla Rakhimova, who slams the ball into the ground in frustration.
The world number one is in complete control of this first set.
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
I do enjoy watching Sabalenka volley, so many girls don't feel comfortable in that area.
She was a very good doubles player earlier in her career.
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros
Image source, BBC SportBonjour tennis fans! The French Open soon comes around, doesn't it?
The Parisian summer hasn't arrived yet, though.
Ominous grey clouds lurk overhead but there has not been enough rain to stop play on the outside courts.
A light sprinkle of drizzle is as bad as it has got.
The cooler conditions mean the ball is travelling slow and heavy, leading to a few slug-fests already on the smaller courts.
Sabalenka 4-1 Rakhimova*
Aryna Sabalenka looks really sharp here.
The top seed races in to the net to win a point before claiming another with a brutal forehand.
A hold of serve to love in the blink of an eye. She is not hanging about.
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 3-1 Rakhimova
Important game here for Kamilla Rakhimova, with the world number one taking no time to settle into her rhythm.
She's beaten at the net as Aryna Sabalenka pushes her to 30-30, but holds her nerve to get a first game on the board. That should do her a lot of good.
Image source, Getty ImagesWorld number one Aryna Sabalenka says she "loves" having a target on her back as she goes into the French Open women's singles as the player to beat.
Sabalenka has stretched her lead at the top of the rankings after a commanding start to 2025, winning two WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, and reaching finals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Stuttgart.
It means the 27-year-old Belarusian, a three-time major winner, comes into the French Open, where she reached the 2023 semi-finals, as many people's favourite for the title.
"Knowing there is someone chasing me or having a target on my back right now, I love it. I take it as a challenge," Sabalenka said.
"Every time I go out there, I feel like 'OK, let's go'. Let's see who is ready for the pressure moments.
"It's actually helping me to stay in the moment and fight, no matter what, on the court."
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
I predict, on day one, that there will be almighty rows with umpires over line calls and markings, because of what we have seen with the automatic line calls.
Sabalenka 3-0 Rakhimova*
Aryna Sabalenka races into a 40-0 lead before Kamilla Rakhimova lands a forehand to close to within a point.
No mistakes. A final forehand from the Belarusian ensures she avoids any issues here and takes a commanding 3-0 advantage.
*Sabalenka 2-0 Rakhimova
Kamilla Rakhimova double faults to give Aryna Sabalenka a second look at a break point, and the pressure soon tells.
It's the perfect start for the world number one!
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 1-0 Rakhimova*
An now a first break point for Aryna Sabalenka. Can she make an early breakthrough?
Kamilla Rakhimova slices a drop shot over - via the net cord - to escape for now.
