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Before we get to today’s action, a recap on what went down on day one. An emotional Emma Raducanu was at a loss to explain her horror start at the French Open as she crashed to a first opening-round loss.
The British No 1 failed to win a game in a one-sided opening set against Argentina’s Solana Sierra, hitting zero winners and making 15 unforced errors. Raducanu looked like she could be heading for one of the worst defeats of her career when she trailed 4-1 in the second set but she found a belated foothold, fighting back to force a tie-break before losing 6-0 7-6 (4).
“It was difficult,” said the 23-year-old, who made 42 unforced errors in total. “I don’t think I’ve fully processed it yet, so it’s hard to speak about the match right now.
“But I have to at least take the fact that, from a set and 4-1 down, I came back and made it competitive in the second set. I’m pretty disappointed. Obviously, I wanted to do better.
“I went on the court, I felt like the conditions were extremely lively and I felt like I wasn’t able to trust my shots and didn’t feel like I had control over the ball. I think probably just a bit light on matches, a bit light on confidence coming into the tournament.
“The first set happened super quickly, and it’s not a nice feeling when the points and the games are going very, very fast. I’m glad at least in the second set I was able to get a few games on the board.”
Elsewhere, tears of joy flowed for Fran Jones after a long-awaited first grand slam victory at the French Open. The 25-year-old Briton has had a torrid year, with a leg injury and concussion keeping her off the court and pushing her back outside the Top 100, and she could not contain her emotions after battling from a set down to defeat former semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6 7-6 (4) 6-2.
“Normally I’m one to say you shouldn’t cry until the tournament is over but I think, everything I’ve been through this year, it’s really been challenging,” said Jones. “I know I’m dangerous on this surface. I know I’ve not been on my best form, but it gives you belief.”
Preamble
Bonjour! The sun is shining in Paris and day two of Roland Garros brings a packed slate of opening-round action with the biggest stars beginning their campaigns across the courts.
Iga Swiatek opens her title bid against Emerson Jones, with the world No 3 expected to set the standard on her favourite surface where she has won four grand slams. Elena Rybakina is also in action, hoping to follow up her Australian Open victory with a strong showing on the clay. Katie Boulter also takes the court, hoping to equal and eventually go beyond her best finish in Paris – the second round.
Rafael Jodar’s rise this year has been one of the storylines of the season so far with the young Spaniard being seeded at the French Open after being ranked outside the world’s Top 700 not too long ago. He faces the fast-paced Aleksandar Kovacevic. Ben Shelton faces another young Spaniard in Daniel Merida while the former champion Stan Wawrinka takes on Jesper de Jong in his final season on tour.
So much action, so much to look forward to. Join me.
