Wed May 28 18:30:00 UTC 2025: **Rybakina, Krejcikova, and Ostapenko Advance at Roland Garros**

**PARIS** – Elena Rybakina led the charge of Grand Slam champions at Roland Garros on Monday, securing a first-round victory over Argentine qualifier Julia Riera 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. The No. 12 seed battled through a tough three-setter to reach the second round in Paris for the sixth consecutive year. “Today was a difficult opponent,” Rybakina said, acknowledging Riera’s strong play.

Joining Rybakina in the second round are former French Open champions Barbora Krejcikova and Jelena Ostapenko. Krejcikova, the 2021 champion, defeated Germany’s Tatjana Maria 7-6(4), 6-3, marking her first win of 2024 after an injury-ridden season. The No. 15 seed will face Veronika Kudermetova in the next round.

Ostapenko, who lifted the trophy in Paris in 2017, overcame Polina Kudermetova 5-7, 6-0, 6-2. The No. 21 seed is aiming to improve her record at Roland Garros, where she hasn’t advanced beyond the third round since her title run.

Rybakina will next face American wild card Iva Jovic in a rematch from this year’s Australian Open, where Rybakina dominated.

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