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.

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.

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.”

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 returns.

Swiatek, however, refused to allow Bucsa any breathing space and the World No. 1 made it four breaks in a row to level the score at 3-3.

Normal service was resumed with both players exchanging holds, but again Swiatek was made to sweat as she fended off a break point before completing the turnaround at 5-4. She would eventually take the opening set in 47 minutes after forcing Bucsa into an error on her forehand.

The second set was a more straightforward affair for Swiatek, who had the look of a fully fit and focused star determined to defend her Roland-Garros crown. She chalked up seven points in a row to bring up an early break point, grabbing the break on the second attempt.

Swiatek was cruising through the second set as she claimed a sixth successive game with a break to 15 providing the insurance break. The top seed chalked up another hold to 30 to move one game away from victory.

In the end the Pole made it look easy as she made it eight straight games to wrap up the second set in rapid fashion.

“First rounds are tricky, especially in the first set,” Swiatek reflected.

“I don’t remember playing in such windy conditions here. I needed to adjust to that and work on my footwork, but I’m happy I broke through that and played better in the second set.”

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