Rybakina beats Czech teen to achieve third spherical at French Open

PARIS (AP) — Elena Rybakina’s consolation on clay improved as she eased into the third spherical on the French Open by beating one other Czech Republic teenager on Thursday.

The Wimbledon champion, the No. 4 seed at Roland Garros, beat 18-year-old Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-3 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

“I cannot say that here it’s easy for me. It’s still every match getting better and better,” Rybakina stated on courtroom. “It was a bit slippery for me today, I don’t know why.”

She should be feeling cosy on grime after successful the Italian Open, however the 6-foot(1.8-meter)-tall Kazak is banking most of her confidence on her peak benefit.

“This is my good weapon,” she stated, “but, at the same time, to move on clay it’s not easy. It’s always I need more to prepare and, of course, be more patient during the rallies.”

The Australian Open runner-up hit 30 winners to Noskova’s 16, although each gamers had 26 unforced errors.

“I was struggling a lot on her serves,” the Moscow-born Rybakina stated.

Rybakina, who beat Brenda Fruhvirtova within the first spherical, will face Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo within the third spherical.

Later, defending champion and No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek faces Claire Liu of the United States. Coco Gauff – final yr’s runner-up – takes on Julia Grabher of Austria.