Muguruza begins French Open defence with win over Schiavone
Veteran Francesca Schiavone put up a defiant display but went down 6-2, 6-4 to the reigning champion in the first round at Roland Garros</br><a title="Halep - Stephens live online: French Open 2018 final" href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/06/09/other_sports/1528548438_422893.html">Halep - Stephens: French Open 2018 final</a>
Garbine Muguruza started the defence of her French Open title with a hard-fought straight-sets victory over defiant former champion Francesca Schiavone.
Muguruza into second round with 6-2, 6-4 victory
The fourth seed retired from her last tournament in Rome this month at the semi-final stage due to a neck injury, but looked untroubled by that setback in a 6-2, 6-4 win on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Related stories
Schiavone, who turns 37 this month, was unable to live with Muguruza's power and precision in the first set and suffered a first-round exit despite raising her game in the second.
"Sure, I won the French Open last year, but I'm going to need to fight."@GarbiMuguruza is ready for battle over the next fortnight. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/ZVwrSJCagK
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2017
Clash with Kontaveit up next for Spaniard
Muguruza has lost her way since winning her first grand slam title on the famous Paris clay last year, but made an encouraging start to against the 2010 champion at Roland Garros on Monday to set up a clash with Anett Kontaveit, who beat her in Stuttgart recently.