Aryna Sabalenka started her Wimbledon campaign with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Serbian qualifier Teodora Kostovic.
What happened?
The top seed faced strong resistance from her opponent, who was making her Centre Court debut.
Aryna Sabalenka broke Kostovic's serve in the first game and went on to win the set 6-2.
Why it matters for Aryna Sabalenka
Kostovic showed improvement in the second set, holding serve till 2-2, but Sabalenka's experience ultimately paid off.
The Belarusian's mental struggles were on display at Roland Garros, but she held firm this time, breaking back immediately after being broken while serving for the match.
What comes next?
Aryna Sabalenka will face McCartney Kessler in the next round, having played her before at Indian Wells last year.
Sabalenka's draw could be tough in the later rounds, with Elena Rybakina breathing down her neck for the No.1 ranking.
The top seed must keep her matches in straight sets to conserve energy.
Aryna Sabalenka's ratio of winners to unforced errors was 2:1, a great stat for any player.
Her forehand did look shaky at times, but she can expect to improve on that.
The Belarusian's serve held up well, getting broken only once when serving for the match.
Teodora Kostovic had expressed her desire to face Aryna Sabalenka in the first round, saying 'Let's see if she can deal with my power'.
But the 18-year-old Serb was overawed by the situation, especially in the first set.
Aryna Sabalenka was full of appreciation for her opponent, saying 'She brought a really good fight'.
The Belarusian's kind words come after Kostovic's bold remarks ahead of the clash.
Aryna Sabalenka's performance is as good as it gets for a first-round match at a Slam.
She will look to build on this win and make a deep run in the tournament.
The top seed's experience on the big stage will be crucial in the later rounds.
But for now, Aryna Sabalenka can be pleased with her winning start to the tournament.