Pliskova, Muguruza and Stephens reach third round in Paris

Thursday, 30 May 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in action during her second round match against Sweden’s Johanna Larsson

BBCSport: World number two Karolina Pliskova continued her bid for a first Grand Slam with a routine win over Kristina Kucova in the French Open second round.

The big-serving Czech beat the world number 203 6-2 6-2 in just 56 minutes.

Pliskova hit 25 winners and six aces as she maintained the strong clay-court form that saw her win the Italian Open in the run-up to Roland Garros.

Earlier in the day, Sloane Stephens and Garbine Muguruza both progressed to the third round with straight-set wins.

American seventh seed Stephens, last year’s runner-up, beat Spanish world number 75 Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1 7-6 (7-3).

Muguruza, who won the title in 2016, won 6-4 6-1 against 172-ranked Johanna Larsson of Sweden.

The Spaniard will play ninth seed Elina Svitolina in the third round after the Ukrainian received a walkover when compatriot Kateryna Kozlova pulled out.

Pliskova meets Kristina Mladenovic or Petra Martic while Stephens plays Polona Hercog.