Emma Raducanu’s French Open campaign came to a premature end on Sunday, the first day of the second grand slam of the season.
The British No 1 had a disrupted build-up to Roland-Garros, having only played one clay-court match - a straight-sets defeat to Diane Parry in Strasbourg last week - after a two-month absence from the tour due to a post-viral illness.
Rustiness was evident in the early stages of her opener in Paris, as she lost a 25-minute first set 6-0 to Argentina’s Solana Sierra. The 21-year-old is ranked 68th in the world - 29 places below Raducanu - but is a clay-court specialist, having grown up playing on the surface.
Sierra stormed to a 4-1 lead in the second set but wobbled just as Raducanu found her stride, but despite forcing a tie-break the Briton ultimately fell 6-0 7-6(4), with the Argentine booking her place in the second round for the first time.
24-time major winner Novak Djokovic is also in action on a busy opening day in Paris. Former Olympic champions Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev both progressed serenely earlier in the day.
Follow latest updates from Roland-Garros with our liveblog below:
French Open Day 1 LIVE
- French Open begins on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max
- Emma Raducanu loses 6-0 6-7(4) to Solana Sierra
- Olympic gold medallists Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev headline day session
- Novak Djokovic begins campaign for a 25th grand slam title in night session
- Roland-Garros order of play and schedule
‘A monumental moment’: Fran Jones defies the odds with groundbreaking French Open win
21:43 , Eleanor Crooks
Tears of joy flowed for Fran Jones after a long-awaited first grand slam victory at the French Open.
The 25-year-old 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 at a sweltering Roland Garros.
A sobbing Jones rushed to the side of the court to embrace mum Adele and dad Simon, who have been her biggest supporters in her remarkable journey.
Born with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, a genetic condition that means she only has three fingers and a thumb on each hand and seven toes across both feet, Jones forged ahead with a tennis career against the odds.
And, on her seventh occasion in the opening round of a grand slam, Jones was finally able to claim victory.
‘A monumental moment’: Fran Jones defies the odds with groundbreaking French Open win
Tearful Emma Raducanu at a loss to explain French Open nightmare: ‘It’s very difficult’
21:42 , Eleanor Crooks
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 in Paris.
The British number one 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.”
Tearful Raducanu at a loss to explain French Open nightmare: ‘It’s very difficult’
Fran Jones makes huge step at Grand Slam with French Open win
20:00 , Jack Rathborn
Fran Jones provided a brighter note for British tennis after recording her first victory in a Grand Slam main draw.
The world No 102 produced a gritty performance to down Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 and is now in the second round.
Now the No. 27 seed Marie Bouzkova awaits, having dispatched Lucia Bronzetti.
Emma Raducanu fightback unable to prevent French Open first round exit after first-set nightmare
19:40 , Jack Rathborn
Emma Raducanu suffered her first opening-round loss at the French Open with an error-strewn display against Argentina’s Solana Sierra.
The British number one opted to return to action for the final couple of weeks of the clay season following two-and-a-half months out with a post-viral illness instead of concentrating on grass but it has not paid off.
She took positives from a narrow loss to Diane Parry in Strasbourg earlier this week, and she at least improved in the second set at a sun-baked Roland Garros before falling to a 6-0 7-6 (4) defeat.
It is only Raducanu’s third time playing in the tournament but this was the first occasion she has failed to make it to the second round.
Emma Raducanu suffers French Open first round exit after first-set nightmare
What next for Solana Sierra after big win over Emma Raducanu?
19:20 , Jack Rathborn
That was an impressive win for Solana Sierra, the Argentine did reach the fourth round of Wimbledon last year, but this is her best performance at the French Open.
Next up is an even tougher task, in all likelihood, with No 13 seed Jasmine Paolini or Dayana Yastremska.
Raducanu 'understandably undercooked' heading into French Open
19:00 , Jack Rathborn
A tough day for Raducanu, then, but former British No 1 Annabel Croft is candid about the reasons for it.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, she states: “Nothing will replicate the matches you need going into a Slam. She's undercooked and it's understandable.
“It will take time to build back up again.”
Tonight's OOP
18:45 , Flo Clifford
Court Philippe-Chatrier - from 7.15pm
- Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) vs [3] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-7 Solana Sierra
18:36 , Flo Clifford
Solana Sierra will face either 2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini or Dayana Yastremska in the second round.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-7 Solana Sierra
18:31 , Flo Clifford
She made a bit of a meal of that, losing her nerve as Raducanu suddenly found a lot more fight, but ultimately she brought her best to that tie-break and came out on top.
Raducanu makes a swift exit, having at least avoided an ignominious defeat. It looked bad at 6-0 4-1 down, but she produced some much better tennis late on.
Sierra is into the second round of Roland-Garros for the first time in her career!
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-7 Solana Sierra
18:30 , Flo Clifford
Solana Sierra screams in delight and covers her head with her hands as she fires into the open court! She hugs Raducanu at the net, then runs over to celebrate with her box.
An hour and three-quarters on the clock.
MATCH POINT! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-6 Solana Sierra
18:29 , Flo Clifford
A gorgeous cross-court backhand and Sierra has match point, on her serve! 6-4...
TIE-BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-6 Solana Sierra
18:29 , Flo Clifford
Long from Sierra, and that lead has all but disappeared. 5-4 to the Argentine. Both players are throwing everything at this tie-break.
TIE-BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-6 Solana Sierra
18:27 , Flo Clifford
That brutal backhand down the line is back and Sierra leads 5-1.
Raducanu digs out a sharply angled cross-court return and keeps herself in the rally, and with Sierra trying to cover the middle of the court the Brit fires in behind for 5-2.
Sierra nets, 5-3.
TIE-BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-6 Solana Sierra
18:26 , Flo Clifford
That brutal backhand down the line is back and Sierra leads 5-1.
TIE-BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-6 Solana Sierra
18:25 , Flo Clifford
A roar and a fist pump from Raducanu, and much of the crowd, as Sierra nets in the first rally.
A vicious forehand gets her back level at 1-1, and Raducanu goes long.
The Argentine bags a mini-break with another fierce cross-court winner. 4-1.
TIE-BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 6-6 Solana Sierra
18:21 , Flo Clifford
Well long by Sierra. Nerves striking again? 0-15.
And she double faults. 0-30.
Raducanu drifts long, but Sierra double faults for a second time in this game. Two break-back points for the Brit...
Taken at the first time of asking as Sierra goes long! To a tie-break we go.
BREAK BACK! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 5-6 Solana Sierra*
18:18 , Flo Clifford
Ouch, into the net again by Raducanu, that looked like a drop shot attempt that she second-guessed at the last minute. Another break point chance...
A long rally and Raducanu has the entire court available to her with Sierra pushed to one side, but misses! Sierra will serve for the match a second time!
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 5-5 Solana Sierra
18:16 , Flo Clifford
There’s a bit of a breeze on court now and a few objects stray onto the court while Raducanu waits to serve.
Sierra roars after a superb return down the line, advantage Argentina... but another forehand into the corner by Raducanu brings us back to deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 5-5 Solana Sierra
18:14 , Flo Clifford
A looping forehand by Raducanu goes long... and she double faults. 15-30. But Sierra overcooks a high backhand and it looks like the nerves are in play now.
But Raducanu hits the net, and Sierra has a chance to break. She has a second serve... but goes long in another ultra-aggressive rally. Deuce.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 0-6, 5-5 Solana Sierra
18:10 , Flo Clifford
All square at 5-5 as Sierra goes long!
BREAK POINT! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 4-5 Solana Sierra*
18:09 , Flo Clifford
And again, Raducanu gets to the Sierra drop shot, amazing reflexes, and puts away the volley! Another chance to break...
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 4-5 Solana Sierra*
18:08 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu really ups the aggression now and Sierra goes long! Chance to break and level things at 5-5....
But another down the line strike is well wide. Deuce.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 4-5 Solana Sierra*
18:07 , Flo Clifford
Lots of applause as Raducanu digs out a Sierra drop shot and responds with one of her own, with the Argentine stranded! 30-30.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 4-5 Solana Sierra*
18:06 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu finds the line with a superb forehand winner! 15-30.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 4-5 Solana Sierra*
18:06 , Flo Clifford
The players get a warm round of applause as Sierra prepares to serve for the match.
A great rally goes the Argentine’s way as Raducanu, at full stretch, finds the net.
Another low cross-court backhand is fired into the net by the Briton. Sierra is two points away.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 4-5 Solana Sierra*
18:03 , Flo Clifford
An ace for 40-30!
And Sierra nets, and must serve for the match!
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 3-5 Solana Sierra
18:02 , Flo Clifford
The Raducanu serve is much better now and she makes a good start, but a backhand cross-court spools out. 15-15.
Now she goes just long, having dug deep to stay in this rally, but does well to get forward and put away a volley for 30-30.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 3-5 Solana Sierra
18:00 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu catches the net. Advantage Sierra... and Raducanu slams the cross-court forehand long.
5-3, and Raducanu must serve to stay in this match.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 3-4 Solana Sierra*
17:58 , Flo Clifford
Sierra is starting to make unforced errors and Raducanu looks up for a fight now, fist pumping as the Argentine overhits.
But another serve out wide is followed by a down-the-line winner... Sierra hits long on the next rally for 15-30.
A shout of frustration for Raducanu as she thumps the net on the next rally, but it’s better stuff, more aggressive and on the front foot. 30-30.
A great serve and another forehand down the line, that combination has worked so well for Sierra, but she goes long again for deuce.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 3-4 Solana Sierra*
17:53 , Flo Clifford
Sierra blasts into the net and Raducanu holds!
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 2-4 Solana Sierra
17:52 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu opts to come forward and Sierra, pushed back, goes for the lob and mishits it. The Argentine goes for the drop shot again but it goes wrong and lands back on her side!
40-15... long from Raducanu.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 2-4 Solana Sierra
17:50 , Flo Clifford
Sierra stands ominously far forward on the Raducanu second serve and an early forehand return gets the better of the Brit. Now Sierra hits wide after clipping the tape. 15-15.
This is a must-win game for the British No 1, you feel.
BREAK BACK! *Emma Raducanu 0-6, 2-4 Solana Sierra
17:49 , Flo Clifford
Sierra nets again! Second chance to break... and into the net again! Raducanu breaks for the first time.
BREAK BACK POINT! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-4 Solana Sierra*
17:48 , Flo Clifford
So good she had to do it twice! Another lovely forehand winner and Raducanu has a break point.
Sierra mixes things up with another perfectly weighted drop shot, and saves. Deuce.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-4 Solana Sierra*
17:47 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu gets pinned back by Sierra after another good return, and fires into the net. There are snippets of good stuff here and here comes another forehand winner! Deuce again.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-4 Solana Sierra
17:46 , Flo Clifford
A 14th winner from Sierra, clipping the sideline with a spinning forehand, and the 21-year-old looks so fired up. Raducanu by contrast looks totally deflated.
Sierra goes wide by a fraction for 30-15... and a net cord bounces away from her and out for 30-30 on the Argentine’s serve. She serves wide and has acres of space for the forehand winner.
Much better from Raducanu though: a brilliant deep return, then she waited for Sierra to go the wrong way before blasting the short ball into the open court. Deuce!
Fran Jones beats Beatriz Haddad Maia
17:43 , Flo Clifford
A word though for Fran Jones, who did excellently to recover from a 6-1 first set to produce one of the best wins of her career.
She was overcome with emotion at the end of that two hours and 40 minutes, heading over to hug her parents in the crowd, and sharing her gratitude for their sacrifices over the years. A lovely warm embrace with Haddad Maia at the net too.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-4 Solana Sierra
17:41 , Flo Clifford
Ooh, very narrowly wide again by Raducanu. Advantage Sierra...
She serves well down the T but Sierra gets there and the next shot goes wide again. That’s the double break. Just being comprehensively outplayed in every area.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-3 Solana Sierra
17:40 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu gets to 30-0 but gets unlucky as her next cross-court forehand drifts wide. Now she does well to reach a Sierra drop shot, sprinting from behind the baseline, but makes a hash of the short cross-court forehand. 30-30.
Sierra is just getting to everything, and Raducanu fires long again. This is clearly quite demoralising.
A good body serve though and she gets to deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-3 Solana Sierra
17:35 , Flo Clifford
Sierra clips the net cord and it doesn’t go her way, and it’s an opening for Raducanu at 0-15.
Raducanu stands so far behind the baseline to deal with the Argentine’s serve and it means that as she returns a serve out wide there’s acres of space for Sierra to blast into.
Raducanu nets, and she’s really up against it now. 40-15... but the Brit fizzes a lovely cross-court return and Sierra nets.
Wow, another vicious forehand down the line by Sierra with Raducanu sprinting to get there, and it’s in by millimetres! She backs up the break.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-2 Solana Sierra*
17:30 , Flo Clifford
A perfectly weighted disguised drop shot, from behind the baseline, gives Sierra another chance to break, with Raducanu pinned behind her own baseline.
Oh, and she nets after another heavy return, and Sierra breaks for the fourth time.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-1 Solana Sierra
17:29 , Flo Clifford
Sierra hits back with a sweet return and gets to a short lob, whipping another backhand winner down the line, her third of the set, for another chance to break.
The return is long... deuce. The crowd give Raducanu some encouragement.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-1 Solana Sierra
17:28 , Flo Clifford
Not so good from Raducanu, who double faults, and Sierra is up 0-30.
But a really great ace out wide is the perfect response, her first ace of the match.
Ouch, another double fault follows immediately. 15-40. Sierra has a second serve... which she clatters into the net. 30-40.
Raducanu fires a superb high forehand into the corner! Deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-1 Solana Sierra
17:24 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu wallops the return long. Another second serve... Sierra roars and fist pumps as she drives a backhand winner down the line. 1-1, but an encouraging game from Raducanu.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-0 Solana Sierra*
17:23 , Flo Clifford
A superb forehand down the line and the crowd get behind her for that! She goes for the same trick next time around but overcooks it wide. 15-15.
Raducanu looks much more energetic in the early stages of this set after a very flat opener.
Sierra mixes things up with a sweet drop shot for 40-15, then goes for another drop which Raducanu fizzes back cross-court, and Sierra goes long!
A weak second serve is punished, Sierra nets, and we’re at deuce!
Day one updates
17:21 , Flo Clifford
Elsewhere, Fran Jones has beaten Beatriz Haddad Maia 1-6 7-6(4) 6-2, her first ever main-draw win at a grand slam and a massive one at that! She’ll face 27th seed Marie Bouzkova next.
Emma Raducanu 0-6, 1-0 Solana Sierra*
17:19 , Flo Clifford
Sierra punishes a weak second serve and as Raducanu nets she already, understandably, looks frustrated.
But a nice forehand cross-court by the Brit sets up a great point as she blasts the follow-up into the opposite corner. 15-15.
The 23-year-old needs some new strings so swaps her racquet, and there’s a very small fist pump as Sierra nets. 40-30... Sierra sends a good first serve into the net and Raducanu is on the board!
*Emma Raducanu 0-6 Solana Sierra
17:15 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu returns from her bathroom break and will serve to kick this set off.
Day one updates
17:14 , Flo Clifford
While the ground staff water the clay - and the sweltering crowd - with a hose on court 13 and Raducanu takes a break from the punishing heat, let’s take a quick look at the other scores around the grounds.
28th seed Joao Fonseca and seventh seed Taylor Fritz are both 6-5 up on Luka Pavlovic and Nishesh Basavareddy respectively.
Fran Jones meanwhile is 5-2 up on Beatriz Haddad Maia, the 2023 semi-finalist, in the third set! The Brazilian has not won a match this year but that would still be a huge result for the Brit.
*Emma Raducanu 0-6 Solana Sierra
17:11 , Flo Clifford
That set took 25 minutes and 21-year-old Sierra looks ominously businesslike. She only actually hit 35 per cent first serves in but still won it 6-0. Raducanu hit zero winners and 15 unforced errors. A massive reset needed.
FIRST SET! *Emma Raducanu 0-6 Solana Sierra
17:09 , Flo Clifford
Sierra double faults for the first time - that’s one apiece so far in this set.
But she resumes usual service with some more crunching strikes and Raducanu thumps into the net again. Two set points.
Raducanu just about keeps a powerful forehand in but sends a backhand down the line wide, and Sierra gets the bagel!
Emma Raducanu 0-5 Solana Sierra*
17:08 , Flo Clifford
Sierra, the world No 68, has made an excellent start despite her first serve not exactly firing on all cylinders. Just clearly so much more comfortable on this surface.
A Raducanu backhand finds the net. She is yet to hit a winner but has leaked 12 unforced errors.
Sierra is full of confidence and now whacks another heavy, spinning forehand beyond Raducanu’s reach. 30-0.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-5 Solana Sierra*
17:05 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu is going for the right idea in trying to up the aggression, but just overcooks it a fraction and goes beyond the baseline.
Sierra responds in kind though for 15-15, then pushes Raducanu back with a fierce backhand and she nets.
Two more break points for the Argentine after a backhand misses by miles... Sierra nets, but another great return seals the triple break advantage.
*Emma Raducanu 0-4 Solana Sierra
17:02 , Flo Clifford
Sierra gets herself out of trouble as Raducanu whacks into the net. A disappointing start after earning a break-back point, and the Briton still isn’t on the board.
Emma Raducanu 0-3 Solana Sierra*
17:01 , Flo Clifford
Sierra flings her hands up in annoyance as she directs another low ball into the net. Break-back point for Raducanu...
But the Briton, having gone toe-to-toe in the rally, redirects and goes well wide. Deuce again.
Emma Raducanu 0-3 Solana Sierra*
17:00 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu ups the ante in return, pushing Sierra deep behind the baseline, and forces the error.
The Argentine goes narrowly wide and Raducanu’s coach Andrew Richardson offers some words of encouragement. 0-30.
Sierra queries a call of ‘out’ for a first serve - her percentage is still very low - but a second one nails the line, and she fights back to 40-30.
But she thumps a forehand into the net and we’re at deuce!
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-3 Solana Sierra*
16:55 , Flo Clifford
A couple of wayward balls from the Raducanu racquet and she’s down 0-30. Sierra looks absolutely fired up and has plenty of easy power behind her strikes.
Into the net goes Raducanu after another vicious return, and Sierra lashes another forehand down the line to break to love.
*denotes next to serve
Emma Raducanu 0-2 Solana Sierra*
16:53 , Flo Clifford
Sierra has Raducanu on the back foot, redirecting her effortlessly before blasting a forehand in behind for 30-0.
The British No 1 sends a low-bouncing ball into the net, before the net cord is not so kind to Sierra, and she leads 40-15.
The Argentine’s first serve is AWOL at the moment, but the second is holding up well, and after a fine rally from both players - much better aggression from Raducanu - the Brit is pinned at the far corner and Sierra blasts a winner down the line. Great tennis.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 0-1 Solana Sierra
16:49 , Flo Clifford
Sierra gets lucky with a net-cord that sets Raducanu off balance, and the Brit nets. Not the start she was after.
*Emma Raducanu v Solana Sierra
16:48 , Flo Clifford
A double fault is not what she was after. Third break point for Sierra.
*denotes serving
Emma Raducanu v Solana Sierra
16:47 , Flo Clifford
Sierra’s easy power is causing problems early and Raducanu overcooks a forehand to give the Argentine two break points.
Sierra mishits a return well wide, then Raducanu ups the aggression, forcing her opponent onto the defensive, and another error brings up deuce!
Emma Raducanu v Solana Sierra
16:45 , Flo Clifford
A quick reminder: Raducanu has only played one match on clay this season, a straight-set defeat to Diane Parry in Strasbourg, in which she played well and held up physically despite her lengthy layoff from post-viral illness.
Sierra is a natural on this surface having grown up playing on it, so despite the 29 places between them in the rankings, is the favourite here.
Emma Raducanu v Solana Sierra
16:44 , Flo Clifford
Raducanu to serve first.
Emma Raducanu v Solana Sierra
16:39 , Flo Clifford
The players are out! Time for a warm-up, then play should begin shortly.
French Open day one updates
16:32 , Flo Clifford
Emma Raducanu will face Solana Sierra next on court 13, with the players expected to come out in the next five to 10 minutes.
French Open day one updates
16:27 , Flo Clifford
An ace to seal it!
Nuno Borges looks overcome with emotion and he crouches down on the court before thumping a ball into the stands. Into the second round goes the Portuguese, who now roars to the healthy crowd of supporters who chant his name. 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry is the first seed out of Roland-Garros!
French Open day one updates
16:25 , Flo Clifford
Nuno Borges leads Tomas Martin Etcheverry 5-2 in the third set over on Court 13 and will now serve for the match. The 23rd seed is wilting somewhat in this heat.
French Open day one updates
16:16 , Flo Clifford
Hailey Baptiste was match points down around 45 minutes ago, but now has three of her own in this rollercoaster encounter... and Barbora Krejcikova nets!
The 26th seed advances against the former champion here, 6-7(7-9) 7-6(8-6) 6-2.
French Open day one updates
16:07 , Flo Clifford
On Court 14 Fran Jones has recovered well from losing the first set 6-1 to Beatriz Haddad Maia. She leads 5-4 in the second with a break, and is serving to level proceedings.
Alexande rZverev has beaten Benjamin Bonzi 6-3 6-4 6-2, pretty routine stuff for the second seed, while Hailey Baptiste’s tussle with Barbora Krejcikova has gone to a third set, with the American 26th seed 5-2 up in that and serving for a place in the second round.
Cameron Norrie adds to British injury woes
15:55 , Flo Clifford
With Jack Draper sidelined through injury, Cameron Norrie appeared to be the best hope of a deep British run but the 20th seed revealed he is struggling with a rib injury.
“I haven’t been able to hit yet since I’ve arrived here, so just been enjoying Paris and resting,” he said.
“But I think I needed the rest, so maybe it’s a good thing. I really know that I’m feeling the ball well. Luckily I’m scheduled on Tuesday, so I have some time to recover. Hopefully I can be good to play.”
Norrie, who takes on Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo first up, admitted he may have over-trained, including playing a five-set training match against American Ben Shelton lasting nearly five hours.
Emma Raducanu enjoys work again with coach Andrew Richardson after ‘just a text’
15:45 , Flo Clifford
Emma Raducanu insisted parting company with Andrew Richardson following her US Open triumph was not a mistake despite opting to rehire him.
Richardson coached Raducanu to the US Open title five years ago but that was not enough to persuade the then teenager and her advisors to keep him on.
The decision not to keep faith with the former British Davis Cup player has been a stick critics have used to beat Raducanu with in the intervening years, but she said: “I think at that time it was very difficult to say I made a mistake, because in my life everything changed upside down, and I didn’t really think I had the most handle over the situation in the sense that I was being pulled left and right.
“I didn’t really know what was going on. I think everything also happened very quickly then. A lot of experiences over the last few years, it taught me a lot of what I didn’t want, and it taught me that I really just value having people that I trust and connect with around me.
“So it’s really nice to have that feeling back.”
Emma Raducanu enjoys work again with coach Andrew Richardson after ‘just a text’
French Open updates
15:37 , Jack Rathborn
Court 13 and Nuno Borges is serving for the second set against Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
The Portuguese is 6-3, 5-4 up... Emma Raducanu will follow this match. So we’re at least an hour away from the British No 1 taking to court.
What is the French Open prize money?
15:25 , Flo Clifford
The total prize money on offer at Roland-Garros this year is €61.7m (£53.6m), a near-10 per cent increase on last year’s pot of €56.4m (£43.3m).
The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive €2.8m (£2.4m), while the runners-up will take home €1.4m (£1.2m).
Players who go out in the first round will still pocket €87,000 (£76,000).
The prize money for qualifying has been increased by just under 13 per cent from last year’s figures, while the doubles money has gone up by 4 per cent - with the men’s and women’s winners set to receive €600,000 (£522,000) - and the wheelchair prize pot by 15 per cent.
The wheelchair and quad singles champions will take home €68,000, with men’s and women’s wheelchair doubles champions winning €22,000 per team, and quad doubles €25,000 per team.
Big-name absentees dominate build-up to French Open
15:15 , Flo Clifford
Attention heading into the French Open is as much on who is not in Paris as who will take to the clay courts at Roland Garros.
Carlos Alcaraz is the biggest name absentee having been ruled out of the majority of the clay season and Wimbledon with a wrist injury.
It has also been a disappointing campaign so far for British players, with injuries and illness affecting a number of leading names.
Jack Draper’s ranking will drop outside the top 100 after his long absence with bone bruising in his arm was followed by a knee problem that is keeping him away from Roland Garros.
Sonay Kartal also remains sidelined by a back injury, while Emma Raducanu has just returned from two-and-a-half months out with a post-viral illness and Jacob Fearnley and Fran Jones have also spent time away from the court.
Big-name absentees dominate build-up to French Open
French Open updates
15:02 , Flo Clifford
We’ve reached the hour mark on Court 13, where Nuno Borges has taken the first set off Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3.
Raducanu faces Sierra after that concludes.
French Open updates
14:52 , Flo Clifford
On Court 14 Beatriz Haddad Maia broke Fran Jones at the first time of asking and is 2-1 up.
Elsewhere, Zverev leads Bonzi 6-3 6-4 3-0, Barbora Krejcikova took the first set 7-6(9-7) against Hailey Baptiste but they’re level at 3-3 in the second set, and Tomas Mahac has beaten Zizou Bergs 6-4 6-4 6-3.
Fran Jones up next on Court 14
14:42 , Flo Clifford
Davidovich Fokina still had the energy to hang around signing autographs after that five-set epic, winning 6-7 6-3 2-6 4-7 6-3. He’ll play Thiago Agustin Tirante in the second round.
Fran Jones is up next on this court, where she faces Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, the 2023 semi-finalist.
Which Brits are playing at Roland-Garros?
14:32 , Flo Clifford
There are six British players in the main draws, with 20th seed Cameron Norrie joined in the men’s singles by Jacob Fearnley and qualifier Toby Samuel.
In the women’s draw, Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, and Fran Jones are all in action this week.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina wins!
14:21 , Flo Clifford
Amazingly, despite limping his way through this set, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina - having been two points away from losing this match in the fourth set - now has two match points on the Dzumhur serve.
And Dzumhur goes long, and the 21st seed is through!
Day one round-up
14:10 , Flo Clifford
Seeds Marie Bouzkova and Xinyu Wang have both advanced at the expense of Lucia Bronzetti and last year’s junior champion Lili Tagger respectively.
And 21st seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is locked in an almighty five-set tussle, as is tradition. He’s suffering physically, limping against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but has just levelled things at 3-3 in the decider.
Day one round-up
14:00 , Flo Clifford
A quick glance around the scoresheet so far: Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic has seen off Austrian qualifier Sinja Kraus 6-2 6-3, while 13th seed Karen Khachanov has beaten French wildcard Arthur Gea.
Second seed Alexander Zverev is 5-3 up on Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, and it’s on serve at 3-4 in 26th seed Hailey Baptiste’s tussle against former Roland-Garros and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova - that should be a good one.
Emma Raducanu faces longer wait for French Open first round match
13:50 , Flo Clifford
Update over on Court 13: Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante has seen off Pablo Llamas Ruiz in four, winning the last set 6-0.
Up next is 23rd seed and another Argentina, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, against Nuno Borges of Portugal. That one could also go on for a while...
Raducanu takes on a third Argentine of the day, Solana Sierra, after the conclusion of that match.
Marta Kostyuk wins ‘one of the most difficult matches’ after missile strike near parents’ home
13:42 , Flo Clifford
Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk won “one of the most difficult matches” in her career as she advanced at the French Open hours after a missile strike narrowly missed her parents’ home.
Russia launched a wave of strikes overnight, killing four people in Kostyuk’s native Kyiv and injuring at least 83 people across Ukraine.
The 15th seed gave an emotional on-court interview after she won her opening-round match at Roland-Garros, beating Russian-born Oksana Selekhmeteva, who now represents Spain, 6-2 6-3.
Kostyuk teared up and was warmly applauded by the crowd on Court Simonne-Mathieu as she said: “This morning, 100 metres away from my parent's house, a missile destroyed the building.”
Emotional Marta Kostyuk wins after parents’ home narrowly missed by missile strike
Emma Raducanu vs Solana Sierra latest odds
13:36 , Jack Rathborn
The Briton is the undercard this afternoon, but it’s a close one, the pair have never played each other before...
Emma Raducanu 11/8
Solana Sierra 4/7
Emma Raducanu faces longer wait for French Open first round match
13:29 , Jack Rathborn
So Raducanu is going to have to wait a little longer, that’s because Thiago Agustin Tirante dropped the third set to Pablo Llamas Ruiz.
But the Argentine is up a break in the fourth, so that match should be done relatively soon, then it’ll be a waiting game for Raducanu, with Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Nuno Borges the last match before her first round contest.
Emma Raducanu gives fitness update ahead of French Open after two-month illness
13:15 , Flo Clifford
Emma Raducanu is hopeful her health issues are behind her as she prepares for her opening match at the French Open.
The British number one takes on Argentina’s Solana Sierra in the first round on Sunday in what will be just her second match since March following two-and-a-half months out with a post-viral illness.
“I feel a lot better,” she said. “I thought I’d completely flipped it. I think there’s just been a little bit of a lingering cough recently. But I feel health-wise really good.
“I played a really positive match last week in Strasbourg in the sense it was over two hours, and I think physically I pulled up really well from it. So I’m happy to take that and build from it.”
Raducanu gives fitness update ahead of French Open after two-month illness
Sinner discovers route to French Open final and possible collision with Djokovic
13:02 , Flo Clifford
Jannik Sinner will begin his pursuit of a first French Open title, and a career grand slam, against French wildcard Clement Tabur in the first round of the men’s competition at Roland Garros.
Sinner is being heavily backed to win the tournament following his recent triumph at the Italian Open and the withdrawal of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Sinner in the 2025 final but withdrew from this year’s tournament with a wrist injury.
Should Sinner make it into the second round he could face Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley though the 24-year-old has a difficult opening match against Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo who sits 68 places above him in the world rankings.
Full draw here:
Sinner discovers route to French Open final and possible collision with Djokovic
When will Emma Raducanu vs Solana Sierra start?
12:54 , Jack Rathborn
Emma Raducanu begins her campaign against clay-court specialist Solana Sierra of Argentina on Court 13 later this afternoon.
But when will she be on court? That’s a tricky one to answer as she’s on third, after two men’s matches.
First up is Thiago Agustin Tirante vs Pablo Llamas Ruiz, and the Argentine Tirante is 2-0 up in sets, so that could be finishing in the next 10 minutes, or it might take another hour.
Then it’s 23rd seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Nuno Borges... That might take another two to three hours.
So Raducanu is likely to be on no earlier than 3:30pm BST...
French Open day one order of play
12:52 , Flo Clifford
all times BST
Court 14 - 10am
- [21] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) vs Damir Dzumhur (BIH)
- Fran Jones (GBR) vs Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA)
- Sofia Kenin (USA) vs Peyton Stearns (USA)
- Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA)
Outside courts - from 10am
- Ajla Tomljanovia (AUS) vs Caty McNally (USA)
- Pablo Llamas Ruiz (ESP) vs Thiago Agustín Tirante (ARG)
- Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs Solana Sierra (ARG)
- Magdalena Frech (POL) vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU)
- Hamad Medjedovic (SRB) vs Yannick Hanfmann (GER)
- Alexander Blockx (BEL) vs Coleman Wong (HKG)
- Hugo Dellien (BOL) vs Valentin Royer (FRA)
- Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) vs Tamara Korpatsch (GER)
French Open day one order of play
12:45 , Flo Clifford
all times BST
Court Suzanne-Lenglen - 10am
- [13] Karen Khachanov (RUS) vs Arthur Gea (FRA)
- [26] Hailey Baptiste (USA) vs Barbora Krejcikova (CZE)
- [7] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs Nishesh Basavareddy (USA)
- Ksenia Efremova (FRA) vs [18] Sorana Cirstea (ROU)
Court Simonne-Mathieu - 10am
- [15] Marta Kostyuk (UKR) vs Oksana Selekhmeteva (RUS)
- Katie Volynets (USA) vs Clara Burel (FRA)
- Titouan Droguet (FRA) vs [26] Jakub Mensik (CZE)
- [28] Joao Fonseca (BRA) vs Luka Pavlovic (FRA)
French Open day one order of play
12:38 , Flo Clifford
all times BST
Court Philippe-Chatrier - 11am
- Sinja Kraus (AUT) vs [11] Belinda Bencic (SUI)
- Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) vs [2] Alexander Zverev (GER)
- [8] Mirra Andreeva (RUS) vs Fiona Ferro (FRA)
Court Philippe-Chatrier - from 7.15pm
- Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) vs [3] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
French Open day one
12:35 , Flo Clifford
Novak Djokovic begins his tilt at an outright record 25th grand slam title on Sunday 24 May, playing in the first night session of this year’s French Open.
The Serb - who turned 39 on Friday - opens against huge-serving home favourite Giovanni Mpetschi Perricard on Court Philippe-Chatrier, from 7.15pm BST (8.15pm local time).
Former Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic opens play on Philippe-Chatrier against Austria’s Sinja Kraus, while men’s second seed Alexander Zverev also plays in the day session on the show court.
Elsewhere Emma Raducanu begins her campaign against clay-court specialist Solana Sierra of Argentina on Court 13 later this afternoon, while Madrid champion Marta Kostyuk and wunderkind Joao Fonseca are also in action on a busy first day at Roland-Garros.
Marta Kostyuk wins after emotional build-up
12:31 , Flo Clifford
Ukrainian 15th seed Marta Kostyuk is the first top player through to the second round, having swept aside Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2 6-3.
The recent Madrid champion gave an emotional on-court interview in which she revealed her parents’ home in Ukraine was narrowly outside the range of a missile strike.
She said: “I'm incredibly proud of myself today.
“I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 metres away from my parents' house [in Ukraine], a missile destroyed the building.
“It was a very difficult morning for me. I didn't know how this match was going to turn around for me. I didn't know how I would handle it.”
French Open schedule
12:24 , Flo Clifford
The tournament main draw gets underway on Sunday 24 May. Finals weekend is across Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June.
- 18-23 May — Qualifiers
- 24–26 May — 1st Round
- 27–28 May — 2nd Round
- 29–30 May — 3rd Round
- 31 May – 1 June — Round of 16
- 2–3 June — Quarterfinals
- 4 June — Women’s Semifinals
- 5 June — Men’s Semifinals
- 6 June — Women’s Singles Final & Men’s Doubles Final
- 7 June — Men’s Singles Final & Women’s Doubles Final
Is the French Open on TV?
12:17 , Flo Clifford
The tournament will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK as well as online on HBO Max.
In the US, it will be shown live on TNT Sports, Max, and CNN.
French Open 2026
12:05 , Flo Clifford
The second Grand Slam of the year is underway, with Jannik Sinner the hot favourite to claim the only major title he is yet to win.
With his only real rival and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sidelined Sinner is widely expected to claim the title, although 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic will aim to peak, as he always does, for the biggest tournaments of the year.
On the women’s side reigning champion Coco Gauff will hope to defend her Roland-Garros crown, with last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka, four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek, Madrid champion Marta Kostyuk, Rome winner Elina Svitolina, and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina headlining a strong field.
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, with Djokovic getting his campaign underway in the first night session of the fortnight, and runs until finals weekend on the 6-7 June.
Good afternoon
12:03 , Flo Clifford
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the French Open!
The second grand slam of the year begins today, Sunday 24 May, with an action-packed day under the Parisian sun in store.
Follow live updates and build-up to today’s big matches here.
