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Muguruza, Pliskova Advance At Roland Garros

May 29th 2017

Defending champion Garbine Muguruza and 2nd-seeded Karolina Pliskova began their French Open campaigns with successful results on Monday. Muguruza defeated former Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone 6-2 6-4 while Pliskova defeated Saisai Zheng of China 7-5, 6-2.

Muguruza came into Paris without exuding the confidence one would expect from a defending champion but played with a business-like attitude in her opening round match.

Garbine Muguruza

The Spaniard used her power game to create an advantage early as Schiavone could find few answers. After a short delay in the first set due to a spectator who collapsed, Muguruza picked up where she left off, continuing with a barrage of big groundstrokes that created 21 unforced errors in the match from her opponent.

Despite winning the title in 2016, Muguruza conceded that it did not necessarily bring her confidence. “I think I know I played good here before. That doesn't make me extra confident this year. I think I just have to earn that confidence here. Like today - going out there, trying to deal with things - that's what brings me confidence, not remembering how I played last year.”

Muguruza will face Anett Kontaveit, who defeated her in Stuttgart, next.

Karolina Pliskova

After Angelique Kerber’s loss on Sunday, Pliskova became the highest seed left in the women’s draw. And after a tough challenge in the opening set by Zheng, she found another gear and rolled through in the second set.

Despite a high number of unforced errors, the Czech took advantage of Zheng’s serve breaking on six out of eight opportunities.

Pliskova will face Ekaterina Alexandrova next.