French Open 2022: Iga Swiatek beats Lesia Tsurenko, Naomi Osaka loses to Amanda Anisimova

World number one Iga Swiatek underlined why she is the overwhelming favourite by starting her French Open campaign with a quick win over Lesia Tsurenko.

The 20-year-old, who won Roland Garros in 2020, extended her winning streak to 29 matches by beating the Ukrainian.

But four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka was beaten by Amanda Anisimova in a high quality first-round encounter.

American Anisimova, who ended Osaka’s Australian Open title defence in January, won 7-5 6-4.

Anisimova, a semi-finalist in 2019, will face Croatia’s Donna Vekic next.

Anisimova capitalises on Osaka’s rusty serving

Osaka had struggled with an Achilles injury in the build-up to the Grand Slam but was let down most by her serve, including eight double faults.

Osaka said she had initially worried about the reception she would receive on her return to Paris after withdrawing from last year’s event because of mental health struggles.

Both she and Anisimova were warmly received by the crowd on Suzanne Lenglen, with the fans rallying behind Osaka as she fought to keep Anisimova at bay.

Osaka’s rustiness was most evident in her serving, with several of her double faults coming at crucial moments to hand Anisimova the initiative.

After fighting back from an early break down, Osaka was broken on a huge double fault at 5-5 in the opening set.

Anisimova then produced a near-flawless service game to take the opening set, sealing it in 46 minutes with a forehand winner.

The young American also dealt with more pressure from Osaka in the second set, first breaking the Japanese on a double fault and then saving three break points in the next game to keep a 5-3 lead.

Anisimova created three match points on her serve and looked shaky as she sent two into the net, before a fiery strike down the line wrapped up the match.

Elsewhere, 2020 semi-finalist Petra Kvitova advanced with a 7-6 (7-0) 6-1 win over Hungary’s Anna Bondar.