Swiatek powers through at French Open while defending champion Krejcikova is out

World No 1 Iga Swiatek extended her win-streak to 29 matches after thrashing Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 6-0 at the French Open on Monday.

But second seed Barbora Krejcikova became only the third defending women’s champion to lose in the first round after being beaten by world No 97 Diane Parry 1-6, 6-2, 6-3. It was Krejcikova’s first match since February because of an injured right elbow.

Swiatek, who won the 2020 French Open without dropping a set, arrived at Roland Garros having just demolished Ons Jabeur in the Italian Open final – making it her fifth consecutive tournament victory.

On a rainy morning Swiatek , who will turn 21 next week, opened play under the closed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier and got off to a blazing start in her first meeting against Tsurenko, who is ranked 119th in the world.

She was broken while serving for the opening set at 5-1 but Swiatek stepped up to break the 32-year-old Tsurenko to love in the next game to bag the set in 28 minutes.

Swiatek, who continued sporting a blue and yellow ribbon on her cap in support of Ukraine, did not lose another game in the match and wrapped up the contest in 54 minutes on her third match point with a forehand down the line winner – her 20th of the match.

In the zone