Paris, FRANCE— Caroline Garcia (FRA) kept her Roland-Garros “adventure” going with the head-to-toe Yonex ambassador coming from a set down to win her opening match.
As the world No. 23, Garcia is the highest-ranked Frenchwoman and the best chance of a home player taking the women’s singles title for the first time since 2000. Competing at a home Grand Slam is a thrill for any tennis player and Garcia felt fortunate to have the support of a lively Parisian crowd as she fought back against Eva Lys (GER) for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory at the second major of the season.
One of the stars of Team Yonex and a former quarterfinalist at Roland-Garros, Garcia believes she could win a first Grand Slam singles title. She next plays Sofia Kenin, a former Roland-Garros finalist from the United States.
Yonex surges to No. 1 in the rankings
Team Yonex is already celebrating a major success at Roland-Garros: Yonex has become the No.1 racquet brand in the men’s singles draw in Paris, with 30 players – which is 23% of the field – using Yonex racquets.
Wawrinka’s best performance of the year
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) displayed remarkable clay-court prowess, defeating Andy Murray in the first round of the men’s singles. The head-to-toe Yonex ambassador, who clinched the title in 2015, considered his 6-4,6-4,6-2 victory over Murray his strongest performance over the season. After the match, Wawrinka and Murray shared an emotional embrace at the net, exchanging heartfelt words in a display of sportsmanship and mutual respect.
Wins for head-to-toe ambassadors
It seemed at every turn, a Team Yonex Player was progressing into the second round.. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) came from two sets to one down to beat Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 in the men’s singles. Another head-to-toe Yonex ambassador, Linda Noskova (CZE), made progress with the Czech teenager beating Britain’s Harriet Dart 7-6(3), 6-4 in the women’s singles.
Victories for Team Yonex’s American stars
Winning a first match at Roland-Garros was always going to be a special moment for Ben Shelton (USA). It was made even more memorable for the young American because he did so by beating a French opponent, Hugo Gaston, in front of a “loud”, passionate crowd. Never before had Shelton walked out onto a tennis court with a band playing in the stands, with the music adding to the noise and energy as he won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. While Gaston naturally had most of the crowd on his side, Shelton “felt some love out there”.
In an opening match that was high on drama and emotion, Frances Tiafoe (USA) came from two sets to one down to beat Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4 in the men’s singles. There was also success for another American Yonex ambassador in the men’s singles with Tommy Paul (USA) defeating Argentina’s Pedro Cachin 6-2, 6-3, 6-1.
Osaka’s “rollercoaster” win
With sudden dips, changes in momentum and adrenaline surges, it was a Roland-Garros “rollercoaster” for Naomi Osaka (JPN) in her opening match with the Yonex ambassador beating Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. With Osaka playing her first season since returning from maternity leave, this was her first victory at a Grand Slam since the 2022 Australian Open and took her through to play Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the world No.1 and the defending champion. It promises to be the ultimate test of Osaka’s clay-court game.
Five-set thriller for Baez
Sebastian Baez (ARG), who has won two ATP singles titles on clay this season, is through to the second round in Paris after beating Brazilian qualifier Gustavo Heide 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in a match lasting 3 hours and 44 minutes.
