PARIS — Former champion Garbine Muguruza and last year's runner-up Sloane Stephens both posted straight-set wins Wednesday to reach the third round of the French Open.
On a sunny morning in the French capital, Muguruza beat Johanna Larsson 6-4, 6-1 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Seeded 19th this year, Muguruza won the title at Roland Garros in 2016 when she upset Serena Williams in the final. The Spanish player is expected to face tougher opposition in her next match against ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina, who progressed to the third round without hitting a shot.
Svitolina was set to play 67th-ranked Kateryna Kozlova but organizers said the Ukrainian player withdrew with ''intercostal pain.