Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, launched her 2025 French Open campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova, sending a resounding message to her rivals at Roland Garros. The 27-year-old Belarusian, a three-time Grand Slam champion, needed just 60 minutes to dispatch the No. 75-ranked Russian on Court Philippe Chatrier, dropping only one game in a performance that showcased her devastating power and precision. As she chases her first French Open title, Sabalenka’s emphatic start underscores her determination to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win both the Australian Open and Roland Garros in the same season, a feat she’s primed to achieve after a stellar clay-court buildup.
The match, played under the closed roof due to rain, saw Sabalenka dominate from the outset. She unleashed 30 winners, including five aces, and broke Rakhimova’s serve five times, capitalizing on her opponent’s 17 unforced errors. Sabalenka’s efficiency was striking, winning 78% of her first-serve points and maintaining relentless pressure with her aggressive baseline game. The second set was a masterclass, as she delivered a rare 6-0 “bagel,” marking her 40th career 6-0 set—a feat achieved by only 11 active WTA players. “I’m super happy to be back in Paris,” Sabalenka said post-match, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “I love playing in front of you guys and I’m excited. The first rounds are always tricky … but I’m super happy to get the win and go through.”
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a showcase of consistency and growth. After defending her Australian Open title in January and winning WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, she reached finals in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Rome, where she fell to Iga Swiatek. Her only clay losses this year have come against top-10 players, highlighting her improved adaptability on the surface. “I think throughout the years I improved a lot, and today I feel physically, mentally, and I think my game is pretty much ready to play on clay,” she said after her Miami triumph, a sentiment reflected in her Paris opener. Her 2023 Roland Garros semifinal run, where she lost a heartbreaker to Karolina Muchova, remains her career-best, but her current form suggests she’s ready to go further.
Off the court, Sabalenka’s charisma shone through in her post-match ritual, pulling out a Polaroid camera to capture moments with her bags and the court. “The idea was to take some good moments in my life,” she told former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, adding, “I already have a pretty big album. When I feel sad, I go through the album and remember the good moments, they give me good vibes.” This personal touch, paired with her tiger-themed apparel inspired by her tattoo, has endeared her to fans, who see both her ferocity and warmth. Her ability to balance emotional depth with on-court intensity makes her a standout figure in the sport.
The road ahead is formidable. Sabalenka’s draw places her in a stacked top half with defending champion Iga Swiatek, setting up a potential semifinal showdown. Before that, she could face Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals, a rematch of their 2024 Australian Open final, or dangerous floaters like Danielle Collins. Her next opponent, either Jil Teichmann or qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini, awaits in the second round. “I know that if I’ll be able to bring my best game, I know that I can get the win,” Sabalenka said earlier this year, a mindset that fuels her six consecutive Grand Slam semifinal appearances. Her Paris performance, marked by a near-flawless start, signals her readiness to conquer the clay.
Sabalenka’s journey carries personal weight. After losing her father, Sergey, to meningitis in 2019, she has spoken of her mission to inspire. “My whole life I wanted to be an inspiration for the next generation,” she said in Melbourne, embodying her father’s dream for her to become a tennis star. From her early days in Minsk to her rise as world No. 1, Sabalenka’s story is one of resilience, blending raw power with newfound emotional maturity. As she navigates Roland Garros, her statement win over Rakhimova sets the tone for a campaign that could redefine her legacy on clay.
# Aryna Sabalenka Crushes Kamilla Rakhimova in French Open First Round
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, opened her 2025 French Open campaign with a blistering 6-1, 6-0 rout of Kamilla Rakhimova, dismantling the Russian in just 60 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. The 27-year-old Belarusian, aiming for her first Roland Garros title, delivered a near-flawless performance, firing 30 winners, including five aces, and breaking serve five times. Her second-set 6-0 “bagel” marked her 40th career 6-0 set, a rare milestone among active WTA players. “I’m super happy to be back in Paris,” Sabalenka said. “I love playing in front of you guys and I’m excited. The first rounds are always tricky … but I’m super happy to get the win and go through.”[](https://x.com/TennisUpdates25/status/1926597296931721392)[](https://x.com/TennisBakery/status/1926596856441716978)
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been stellar, with WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid and finals in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and Rome. Her clay form, refined since her 2023 Roland Garros semifinal loss to Karolina Muchova, shines through, with losses only to top-10 players. “I think throughout the years I improved a lot, and today I feel physically, mentally, and I think my game is pretty much ready to play on clay,” she said post-Miami. Her 78% first-serve win rate and 17 unforced errors against Rakhimova underscored her dominance.
Her post-match Polaroid ritual, capturing moments with her bags and the court, revealed her charm. “The idea was to take some good moments in my life,” she told Marion Bartoli. “I already have a pretty big album. When I feel sad, I go through the album and remember the good moments, they give me good vibes.” Her tiger-themed apparel reflects her fierce yet approachable persona.
Sabalenka’s draw is daunting, with a potential Iga Swiatek semifinal and Qinwen Zheng quarterfinal looming. She faces Jil Teichmann or Lucrezia Stefanini next. “I know that if I’ll be able to bring my best game, I know that I can get the win,” she said earlier. Driven to inspire after her father’s 2019 passing, Sabalenka noted, “My whole life I wanted to be an inspiration for the next generation.” Her commanding start in Paris signals a player ready to claim the clay crown.
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