Sport
In major upset, Serena Williams will not continue at French Open
Fourth-seeded Andy Murray also advanced, beating Tatsuma Ito of Japan 6-1, 7-5, 6-0.
Maria Sharapova was nearly perfect in her match, winning all 12 games to produce a “double bagel.” And Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova advanced by beating junior Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty 6-1, 6-2.
Sharapova routed Alexandra Cadantu of Romania 6-0, 6-0 on Court Suzanne Lenglen, needing just 48 minutes to advance to the second round. She finished the match with 18 winners, while Cadantu had zero, but had to save three break points.
“No matter how good or bad they’re playing, you still have to win that match,” Sharapova said. “It’s always about who takes their chances.”
Sharapova, who lost in this year’s Australian Open final, is looking to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the title at Roland Garros.
The Russian has won the other three Grand Slam titles, but she has never reached the final at Roland Garros. Last year, however, she equaled her best result by making the semifinals.
“I feel like with every year I have improved and I enjoy it much more,” Sharapova said. “I think I learn a lot more about the game and the point construction. I feel like I’m moving a lot better than I did years previously, which has helped me a lot in the recovery process within the point.”
She moved well enough against Cadantu, a 22-year-old Romanian who was making her French Open debut.
“For me, to have that big crowd, it was a lot,” Cadantu said after playing on the second biggest stadium at Roland Garros. “I enjoyed it a lot.”
