Defending champion Iga Świątek secured her spot in the third round of the French Open with a 6-4 6-0 victory over American Claire Liu on Thursday.
The world number one is looking to lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup for the third time in four years. On the seventh day of the French Open at Roland-Garros, the Polish player will face Xinyu Wang, ranked 80th in the WTA rankings.
In the first round, Xinyu defeated 74th-ranked Estonian Kaia Kanepi in one hour and 15 minutes, 6:3, 6:2. Then, in the second round of the tournament, she ousted 87th-ranked Rebecca Peterson of Sweden, 7:6(5), 6:2, in two hours. The Chinese player had never reached the third round of a Grand Slam before.
Meanwhile, world number four Elena Rybakina withdrew from the French Open on Saturday due to illness, handing an unexpected title boost to defending champion Iga Swiatek, the AFP news agency reported.
Rybakina had been due to face Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain in the third round in the opening match on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The 2023 French Open runs until June 11.
(aj)
SOURCE: IAR, eurosport.tvn24.pl, AFP