French Open: Defending Champ Gauff and Former No. 1 Osaka Advance to Round 2

Central News Agency, Paris, May 26. At the French Open, defending women's singles champion Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0 today to advance to the second round. Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka also advanced in straight sets. According to Reuters, the fourth-seeded Gauff struggled to find her rhythm early on, nearly losing two service games. Leading 5-3 in the first set, she committed a double fault on set point but quickly regained composure, broke Townsend's serve, and took the set. She dominated thereafter to secure the win. Gauff, who defeated Aryna Sabalenka in last year's final, admitted after the match that she was nervous but managed to calm down. Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka defeated Germany's Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). Osaka once again drew attention with her fashion. After stunning fans at the Australian Open with a jellyfish-inspired outfit, she wore a sequined vest and a black net skirt, followed by a pleated yellow-brown dress with gold sequins for the match. She joked after the match that she looked like the sparkling Eiffel Tower at night. Osaka will face 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic in the next round.