But she digs deeper into the limited reserves to win the decision with eight attempts on her fourth win this season.
“I have a three-set match this year that is more successful than in the past, which makes me more confident,” Rakanu said.
“I think it’s been a lot for me to be in more competitions because I haven’t played for a long time.
“At the same time, when I was in the competition, I was really nervous, really intense, so it really made me pay a lot.
“It is difficult to find the perfect balance between hunger and preparing for the game and being healthy enough.”
Rakanu can now focus on how to shock four-time French Open champion Swiatek, who drove through Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova with a 6-3 6-3.
UK No. 1 Katie Boulter will compete in the second round later Monday.
Jodie Burrage lost his first game when he played under protected injury ranking.
The 25-year-old was beaten 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 by former World No. 7 Danielle Collins.
