Diane Parry and Clara Burel lose in the first round in Rome

Diane Parry is not reassured two weeks before Roland-Garros (May 26-June 9). The 21-year-old Frenchwoman was dominated by Anna Blinkova in the first round of the WTA 1000 in Rome (6-2, 6-3), on Wednesday, for her return to the courts after her right thigh injury at the Rouen tournament in April.

The Russian (46th) quickly gained momentum by offering herself an opening break before winning the first set (6-2). On the ocher in the Italian capital, Parry, searching for rhythm, kept hope alive in the second set by leading 3-1. But she collapsed by conceding the next five games to her opponent (6-3). Blinkova will meet Danielle Collins in the next round.

Clara Burel did not have a better fate than her compatriot. Against former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, who was not very comfortable on clay, the Frenchwoman held for a set before suffering in the second. The Japanese, who quickly exploited his opponent’s weakness on the second ball, nevertheless took time to materialize on the break. And when she did, it was also to give up her serve because of a big mistake.

Osaka finally killed the tension in the tie-break, largely dominating (7-2) and finishing with an ace full of authority. The rest was a 30-minute solo, and after winning his first service game, Burel could no longer move the line on the scoreboard. The Japanese will meet Marta Kostyuk in the next round.