French Open: Defending champion Iga Swiatek kicks off 2023 campaign with win over Cristina Bucsa

Iga Swiatek’s quest to defend her French Open title began with a 6-4 6-0 win over Cristina Bucsa. The Polish star started slowly but eventually kicked into gear to beat her opponent in straight sets, booking her place in round two after one hour and 22 minutes.

Ad There have been questions raised about Swiatek’s fitness after she was forced to retire from the Italian Open with a thigh injury, and how the Pole started the match won’t have silenced those with concerns as she was broken twice in the opening set inside the opening five games. Roland-Garros'Oh dear!' – Swiatek crashes into net as Bucsa wins unusual point2 HOURS AGO And although she responded in typically emphatic style, closing out the second set in just 22 minutes, Swiatek was quizzed on events over the last month in her post-match interview.

«I’m trying not to come back to that,» she said. «This is a totally different tournament.

I played here last year, and that was a long time ago. This is a totally new journey and I have experience of playing here, and I know it’s always comfortable.

I’m just focused on the future.» Ons Jabeur thrills crowd with trademark drop shots in impressive win over Lucia Bronzetti Elena Rybakina moves into round two with straight sets win over Brenda Fruhvirtova Major shock as Daniil Medvedev stunned by Thiago Seyboth Wild Swiatek was under pressure after a crosscourt backhand was fired into the tramlines as she fell a break down at 2-1. And while Bucsa failed to maintain her break with a hold – Swiatek biting straight back with a lovely forehand before converting a second break point from deuce to level the set – the Spaniard broke her illustrious opponent again after taking advantage of a double-fault by Swiatek and some wayward