Sabalenka launches French Open campaign, Musetti aims high

The first round of the French Open begins on Sunday as the world's top players battle for Grand Slam glory in Paris.

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Aryna Sabalenka begins her hunt for a first crown at Roland Garros when she meets Russian Kamilla Rakhimova, while in-form Lorenzo Musetti kicks off his campaign against Yannick Hanfmann.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: SABALENKA v RAKHIMOVA

A string of good results on clay has strengthened Sabalenka's determination to win the women's singles title and do herself proud.

The world No 1 arrives in Paris after winning a record-equalling third Madrid Open title three weeks ago.

"I'm just trying to focus on my game and nowadays I know I can do well on clay so, arriving here, I feel really strong and super excited," Sabalenka, who has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Rakhimova, told reporters.

"Hopefully this is going to be the year when I'm really going to be proud of myself on the clay court."

TOP MEN'S MATCH: MUSETTI V HANFMANN

Musetti has already reached one final and two semifinals on clay in recent weeks but the Italian's ambition soars even higher, with his sights set on lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires.

He reached his first Masters 1000 final in Monte Carlo last month, when he was beaten by French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, and also enjoyed semifinal runs in Madrid and Rome.

On Sunday, he faces Hanfmann in what could be a tricky encounter, with the German having beaten Musetti on clay in Madrid two years ago.

Asked about his chances at the French Open, eighth-seeded Musetti told reporters: "I go here with ambition to go forward and to try to lift the trophy. That's I think the mentality that a top player... needs to have."

ZHENG AND PAVYLUCHENKOVA FACE OFF AT SPECIAL VENUE

Court Philippe Chatrier is a special venue for both Zheng Qinwen and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova but with the two set to meet in the first round, one return will be short-lived.

In the 2021 edition of the French Open, Pavlyuchenkova reached the only Grand Slam final of her career, where she was beaten by Czech Barbora Krejcikova.

While Zheng has never made it that far in the French Open, she did win Olympic gold for China on the Parisian dirt last year.