The World No. 4 needed just an hour and twenty minutes to end Townsend's challenge on Court Philippe-Chatrier, extending her perfect record of reaching the second round at the French Open to seven successive appearances.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The final scoreline suggested a more straightforward contest, but Gauff had to overcome an early scare when Townsend broke her serve in the opening game of the match and looked on course to take a decisive early lead. Townsend, who beat a then-15-year-old Gauff in Charleston in 2019, attacked with ferocious intent and had a great chance to build a 4-1 lead with a double-break advantage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Townsend just missed a return on a break point when Gauff's first serve let her down, allowing the defending champion to regain the initiative.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
From that moment, Gauff dominated proceedings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The reigning French Open champion won 11 of the last 12 games of the match, and not a single one in the second set, as Townsend's challenge wilted under constant pressure from the baseline.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
From that moment, Gauff dominated proceedings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 22-year-old will now face Egypt's Mayar Sherif in the second round in her attempt to retain the French Open crown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n