Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, launched her 2025 French Open campaign with a breathtaking display of dominance, dismantling Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0 in just 60 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. The 27-year-old Belarusian, a three-time Grand Slam champion, showcased her trademark power and precision, dropping only one game in a performance that solidified her status as a leading contender for her first Roland Garros title. As she bids to surpass her career-best semifinal run from 2023, Sabalenka’s commanding start in Paris sent a clear message to her rivals: she’s ready to conquer the clay.
The match, played under the closed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier due to rain, saw Sabalenka unleash a barrage of 30 winners, including five aces, while breaking Rakhimova’s serve five times. The Russian, ranked No. 75, struggled to counter Sabalenka’s relentless aggression, managing just one game in the first set before being overwhelmed in a second-set bagel. Sabalenka’s efficiency was striking, winning 78% of her first-serve points and committing only 17 unforced errors. Her performance marked her 40th career 6-0 set, placing her among an elite group of active WTA players. “I was just trying to put the ball back, and the ball was flying like a rocket,” Sabalenka said post-match, reflecting on the lively court conditions that amplified her power game.
This emphatic victory comes on the heels of a stellar 2025 season for Sabalenka, who has already claimed WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, reached finals in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and the Australian Open, and secured the year-end No. 1 ranking. Her clay-court prowess has grown significantly, with a 2023 Madrid title and a semifinal appearance at Roland Garros that year, where she fell to Karolina Muchova in a thrilling contest. Despite a surprise quarterfinal loss to Qinwen Zheng in Rome earlier this month, Sabalenka’s clay form remains formidable, with her only 2025 clay defeats coming against 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 after her Miami Open win, a sentiment echoed by her dominant Paris opener.
Sabalenka’s post-match ritual added a personal touch to her triumph. She pulled out a polaroid camera to snap photos of her bags and the court, a tradition she began in December to capture meaningful moments. “The idea was to take some good moments in my life,” she told former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli during her on-court interview. “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. The album is full of my team, which is annoying sometimes but it is good fun.” The lighthearted moment underscored her ability to balance intensity with joy, endearing her to fans who have embraced her tiger-themed apparel, inspired by her tattoo and shoelaces.
The road ahead at Roland Garros is fraught with challenges. Sabalenka’s draw places her in a stacked top half alongside three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek, setting up a potential semifinal clash. Before that, she could face Chinese eighth seed Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals, a rematch of their 2024 Australian Open final, which Sabalenka won. Her immediate next test is against either Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann or Italian qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini in the second round. With dangerous floaters like Danielle Collins and Amanda Anisimova lurking, Sabalenka’s path to the final is no guarantee, but her current form suggests she’s equipped to handle the pressure. “I know that if I’ll be able to bring my best game, I know that I can get the win,” she said earlier this year, a mindset that has fueled her consistency across six consecutive Grand Slam semifinals.
Sabalenka’s journey carries deeper significance. Having lost her father to meningitis in 2019, she has spoken of her desire to inspire others. “My whole life I wanted to be an inspiration for the next generation,” she said in Melbourne. “I wanted to be a good example of a hard worker, of a fighter.” Her rise from a chance encounter with tennis courts in Minsk to world No. 1 embodies that ethos. As she chases her first clay-court major, Sabalenka’s blend of power, mental fortitude, and emotional authenticity makes her a formidable force—and a fan favorite—in Paris.
# Aryna Sabalenka Dominates Roland Garros Opener with 6-1, 6-0 Rout
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, launched her 2025 French Open campaign with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova, dropping just one game in a 60-minute masterclass on Court Philippe Chatrier. The 27-year-old Belarusian, chasing her first Roland Garros title, showcased her explosive game, firing 30 winners and five aces while breaking her opponent’s serve five times. The performance, under the closed roof due to rain, underscored her status as a tournament favorite and marked her 40th career 6-0 set, a rare feat among active WTA players.
Sabalenka’s dominance was evident from the start. Against the No. 75-ranked Rakhimova, she won 78% of her first-serve points and kept unforced errors to 17, winning nine consecutive games after dropping the first. “I was just trying to put the ball back, and the ball was flying like a rocket,” she said, noting the lively court conditions that suited her power game. Her 2025 season, highlighted by WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid and a year-end No. 1 ranking, has shown marked improvement on clay. “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 Open win.
Post-match, Sabalenka’s personality shone through as she snapped polaroid photos of her bags and the court, a ritual to capture joyful moments. “The idea was to take some good moments in my life,” she told Marion Bartoli on court. “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. The album is full of my team, which is annoying sometimes but it is good fun.” The tradition reflects her balance of intensity and warmth, resonating with fans drawn to her tiger-themed style.
Sabalenka’s path forward is challenging, with a potential semifinal against Iga Swiatek and a quarterfinal rematch with Qinwen Zheng looming. Her next match pits her against Jil Teichmann or Lucrezia Stefanini. Despite threats like Danielle Collins and Amanda Anisimova, her form—unbeaten on clay this year against players outside the top 10—suggests readiness. “I know that if I’ll be able to bring my best game, I know that I can get the win,” she said earlier this season. Driven by a desire to inspire, Sabalenka added, “My whole life I wanted to be an inspiration for the next generation.” As she eyes a maiden clay major, her Paris opener signals a player at the peak of her powers.
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