World number one Swiatek into second round of Olympics tennis

World number one Iga Swiatek battled to a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania to reach the second round of the rain-lashed Olympics tennis tournament on Saturday.

AFP , Saturday 27 Jul 2024,

Swiatek
Poland's Iga Swiatek reacts after beating Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu in their women's singles first round tennis match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on July 27, 2024. AFP

 

The 23-year-old Swiatek, back at Roland Garros where she captured a fourth French Open title last month, had the advantage of playing under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.

After two breaks in a comfortable first set, the top seed had to retrieve a break in the second set to get to 5-5 before sweeping the next two games and secured victory when Begu double-faulted.

Polish star Swiatek, who only made the second round on her Olympics debut in Tokyo three years ago, will face either Diane Parry of France or Argentina's Nadia Podoroska for a place in the last 16.

As the top seed enjoyed a winning start, play on the outside courts was delayed by three hours as rain swept across the French capital.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: