By Ros Satar
Caroline Wozniacki def. Laura Robson 6-3, 6-2
There were no Brits in action on “Le Sunday” – the reduced coverage first day of the French Open, at Roland-Garros, Paris.
With the absence of Andy Murray, it was down to the British women’s no. 1, Laura Robson, to kick off the British campaign here in France, against 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki.
On the one day of sun forecast for the first week, Robson started brightly, putting pressure on Wozniacki early, but failing to capitalise on three break points.
After that, Wozniacki’s experience seemed to win through, as Robson seemed to be going for her shots too much, racking up errors.
Robson acknowledged: “I think Caroline played really well and smart.
“She definitely knew what she wanted to do on court, and I just generally wasn’t able to get into the match.
“My shots just weren’t firing as well as they usually are today.
“It’s disappointing.”
Looking forward, Robson is working on her serve, and making adjustments all the time, and will be re-uniting with Lisa Raymond in the women’s doubles.
Robson said: “I think generally over the past couple of weeks everything has been improving little by little.
“I’m in the process of changing my serve, so it was never going to be perfect today.
“It’s just something that I’m going to have to keep working on.”
Day 3 – Brits in Action
The other British women in the draw will hope that the forecast rain does not materialise as there are 40 remaining first round matches to get through.
Elena Baltacha and Heather Watson are third and fourth up respectively, on Court 3.
Baltacha has looked focused and driven since her return to competition after injury, and faces Marina Erakovic.
Heather Watson will face Stefanie Voegele, and will be playing her first tournament since taking time off to recover from glandular fever.
Ken Skupski (partnering Xavier Malisse) will be getting underway in the men’s doubles against Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah – third on Court 10.
Ros Satar is in Paris, covering Roland-Garros for Tennis Panorama News
