World number two Sabalenka has often been the focus of Ukrainian criticism about Russian and Belarusian players being allowed to participate on the tour - despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war.

"It was a tough match and I didn't play great tennis and had to fight for every point. I did my best and I'm happy with this win," Sabalenka said in the on-court interview on Eurosport's broadcast.

The two Minsk-born 25-year-old players shook hands after the match and signed autographs on large tennis balls for young fans afterwards. The 214th-ranked Shymanovich had six game balls in the first set to bring up a tiebreak but after twelve minutes in the game, Sabalenka, who lives in Miami, was able to decide on his fourth set ball.

"Going to find a good restaurant"

Then the power ran out for Shymanovic, who lives in Rio de Janeiro, and although Sabalenka did not play very well, she was able to win the set easily.

"I'm not happy with my game and I'll have to work on the short balls, something I'll have to practice tomorrow. I hope to play better in the next game but now I'm going to find a good restaurant. I like the food in Paris," says Sabalenka.

Shymanovich won two matches in the main tournament, her first two wins in a Grand Slam, and earned 1,056 million SEK, compared to the 1,455 SEK she has accumulated throughout her career. Sabalenka has raised 180 million crowns before Paris. A win in the tournament would give SEK 27 million.

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Here Marta Kostyuk refuses to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka Photo: TT