PARIS — Garbiñe Muguruza began the defense of her French Open title on Monday against another player who has lifted the trophy on Court Philippe Chatrier: Francesca Schiavone, the 2010 champion.
It was Muguruza who looked the part of recent champion as she handily dispatched Schiavone, 6-2, 6-4.
Muguruza, seeded fourth, has largely struggled since her maiden Grand Slam title here a year ago, losing in the second round at Wimbledon and in the United States Open last year. But she began her title defense with determined, focused tactics.
”Very clear what I was going to do on the court, and I was going to die with that,” Muguruza, 23, said.