1. Top Seeds Shine, But Not Without Challenges
The tournament’s top seeds largely lived up to expectations, with commanding performances, hopefully for them, setting the tone for their fortnight. World No.1 Jannik Sinner navigated a tricky 1st Round match against Arthur Rinderknech, securing a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 victory despite a 3rd set fightback from the Frenchman. Sinner, fresh off a 3 month doping ban, wasn’t at his best, but did enough, particularly in clawing back from a double break down in the 3rd set.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, began his title defense with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Giulio Zeppieri, with his standard flair, winning 77% of first serve points, and executing his usual deft drop shots.
On the women’s side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka obliterated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0 in just 61 minutes, saving both break points. The 17 unforced errors would be something that might need some tightening up if she’s to claim her first Roland Garros title though. Iga Swiatek, the 5th seed this year, is aiming for a historic 4th consecutive title. She had no real dramas in her first hit-out, as she dispatched Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 6-3 despite 17 unforced errors.
Madison Keys (No.7 seed), fresh off her Australian Open title, cruised past Daria Saville 6-2, 6-1 in 58 minutes, capitalizing on Saville’s hip/thigh injury. Coco Gauff (No. 2 seed) and Jessica Pegula (No. 3 seed) also advanced comfortably, with Gauff defeating Olivia Gadecki and Pegula overcoming Anca Todoni in straight sets.
2. Major Upsets Shake the Draw
Round 1 wasn’t without its shocks, as several top 10 seeds fell early, reshaping the tournament’s outlook. On the men’s side, No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz, the 2024 US Open finalist, suffered a stunning 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 loss to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. Fritz’s 41 unforced errors and inability to convert key break points exacerbated his struggles on clay, where he’s lost 4 of 7 matches this year.
No.11 seed Daniil Medvedev, a former US Open champion, was another high-profile casualty, falling to Britain’s Cameron Norrie in a 5-set marathon (7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5). Medvedev’s collapse in the final set, after making a stirring comeback, including a failure to serve out the match at 5-4 in the 5th, marked his second 1st round exit in 3 years at Roland Garros. Clay continues to be his nemesis.
No.18 seed Francisco Cerundolo, who has reached back-to-back 4th rounds, was upset by Canada’s Gabriel Diallo (7-5, 6-3, 6-4), whose dominant serving (79% first-serve points won) could trouble future opponents. Grigor Dimitrov (No. 16 seed) retired injured against American Ethan Quinn, while leading 6-2, 6-3, 2-6. This is the 4th Slam in a row where the Bulgarian has had to retire.
In the women’s draw, No.9 seed Emma Navarro was humiliated 6-0, 6-1 by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, managing just 1 game in a 58-minute rout. No.14 seed Karolina Muchova, a 2023 finalist, fell to American Alycia Parks (6-3, 2-6, 6-1), whose 9 aces and aggressive play capitalized on Muchova’s rustiness.
3. British Players Make Waves
Great Britain enjoyed a strong showing, with 6 players advancing to the 2nd Rd. Jack Draper (No.5 seed) recovered from a slow start to defeat Mattia Bellucci 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, while Cameron Norrie stunned Medvedev in 5 sets, capitalizing on the Russian’s late errors.
Katie Boulter overcame a 1st set deficit to beat qualifier Carole Monnet 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-1, buoyed by her recent WTA 125k Paris title. Jacob Fearnley upset former champion Stan Wawrinka 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-2, marking a career-defining win, and Sonay Kartal dominated Erika Andreeva 6-0, 6-2.
These results solidify Britain’s rising presence, with Draper and Norrie poised for potential deep runs.
4. Gaël Monfils’ Midnight Magic
At 38, Gaël Monfils provided one of Rd.1’s most unforgettable moments, staging a comeback for the ages against Hugo Dellien on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Trailing by 2 sets and facing a raucous home crowd, Monfils battled back to win 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-1 after over 3 1/2 hours, sealing his 40th Roland Garros victory with a tiebreak in the 5th set.
The Frenchman’s athleticism, flair, and crowd engagement—smashing a forehand into the roof and saluting the stands—electrified Paris past midnight. Monfils’ resilience, tying Novak Djokovic for the most 5 set wins in the Open Era, sets up a blockbuster 2nd Rd. clash with Draper, where home support could again play a pivotal role.
5. Novak Djokovic’s Resurgent Form
Three-time champion Novak Djokovic (No. 6 seed) silenced doubts about his 2025 form with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over Mackenzie McDonald. Coming off his 100th title in Geneva, Djokovic won 80% of 1st serve points and committed just 23 unforced errors, displaying vintage physicality in grueling rallies. His performance may signal a return to form as he chases a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. With a favorable draw until a potential quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev, Djokovic would be hoping to work his way into the tournament without too many long matches.
Embed from Getty Images6. Naomi Osaka’s Heartbreaking Exit
In one of the most anticipated 1st Rd. matches, 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka fell to No.10 seed Paula Badosa in a 3-set epic (6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4). Osaka, who nearly upset Swiatek in Paris last year, showed flashes of her clay-court talent, but couldn’t overcome Badosa’s relentless baseline game. The loss again gives weight to Osaka’s tough luck with draws, having faced top-20 opponents in 4 of her last 5 Slams, yet her competitive showing suggests she’s close to a breakthrough. Badosa’s victory, meanwhile, bolsters her credentials as a dark horse.
7. Emotional Tribute to Rafael Nadal
The 2025 French Open began with a poignant ceremony honoring Rafael Nadal, the 14-time champion who retired after his 1st Rd. loss in 2024, ending his Roland Garros career with an astonishing 112–4 record. The tribute, held on May 25, was deeply emotional for Rafa, his family, friends, and spectators alike.
Nadal was joined by his great rivals, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, as the whole tennis world said thank you and goodbye, for an astonishing career. But especially, a record that will be unbeatable in Paris.
8. Emerging Stars and NextGen Talent
Rd.1 showcased the rise of young players poised to shape the tournament’s future. Canada’s Gabriel Diallo stunned Cerundolo with his powerful serving, while Joao Fonseca impressed in his 1st Rd. win, setting up a potential 3rd round clash with Draper. On the women’s side, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro’s demolition of Navarro and Alycia Parks’ upset over Muchova yet again displays the depth of emerging talent. Mirra Andreeva (No. 6 seed), still only 18, advanced comfortably, and remains a threat after her 2024 semi-final run.
Follow The Tennis Site on Facebook and X: @thetennissite
Follow Todd Scoullar on X: @toddscoullar
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.