Sunday, December 22, 2024

French Open 2024 results: Elena Rybakina wins, Alize Cornet loses on final appearance – BBC Sport

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Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Elena Rybakina has won nine of her 10 matches on clay courts in 2024

Elena Rybakina overcame a slow start to defeat Belgium’s Greet Minnen and reach the French Open second round.

The world number four was broken to love in her opening service game.

But from 2-0 down in the opening set the 24-year-old rallied to win 10 consecutive games and take control on her way to a 6-2 6-3 victory.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion will play three-time major winner Angelique Kerber or Dutch player Arantxa Rus.

Rain delayed much of the third day’s play in Paris, but Rybakina registered a swift victory under the roof on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The Kazakh, who reached the French Open semi-finals in 2021, claimed her third title of the year at the Stuttgart Open in April, following victories in Brisbane and Abu Dhabi.

However, she missed out on defending her Italian Open title in the build-up to Roland Garros because of illness.

Alize Cornet’s playing career came to an end as the Frenchwoman lost 6-2 6-1 to Chinese seventh seed Zheng Qinwen at her final tournament.

Later on Tuesday, women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka begins her campaign against Russian teenager Erika Andreeva.

British number one Katie Boulter faces Spain’s former quarter-finalist Paula Badosa.

Cornet says emotional goodbye at French Open

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Alize Cornet holds the women’s Open era record for most consecutive Grand Slam main draw appearances

There was no fairytale run for Cornet at the final tournament of her 19-year career, but French Open organisers ensured she received a fitting goodbye on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 34-year-old, competing at Roland Garros for the 20th time after contesting her first major aged 15 in Paris, was emotional during a video tribute played after her loss to Zheng.

Addressing the crowd, Cornet said: “It’s been a difficult day with a lot of emotion. It’s a 20-year page that I’m turning and I’m going to a new chapter in my life.

“I wish I could have played better, but I gave everything I could to this sport.”

A six-time WTA title winner, Cornet was brought to tears as a montage of her career highlights was played on the big screen, while she was also presented with a trophy during a post-match ceremony.

Cornet made a record 69 consecutive Grand Slam appearances during her career, a streak beginning at the 2007 Australian Open.

In total she made 72 appearances at the sport’s four majors, with her best result a quarter-final showing at the 2022 Australian Open.

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