Swiatek and De Minaur shine on day two of the French Open 2026

By Ama Serwah — 25 May 2026 — 2 min read

Swiatek Dominates in Opening Match

Iga Swiatek began her campaign for a fifth title at the French Open with a commanding performance against Australian teenager Emerson Jones. Swiatek quickly established control, winning the first set 6-1 in just 28 minutes. She maintained her dominance throughout the match, breaking Jones multiple times and showcasing her powerful forehand.

As the match progressed, Swiatek continued to apply pressure, eventually serving for the match while leading 6-1, 5-2. Jones managed to break Swiatek’s serve once, but the Polish player quickly regained her rhythm to secure the victory.

Other Matches and Upsets

On the same day, Alex De Minaur, the eighth seed, also advanced with a straight-sets win over Toby Samuel, taking the match 6-4, 6-4. De Minaur’s performance included a crucial break in the fifth game of the first set, which he followed up with a powerful ace to close out the set.

In a surprising turn of events, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen was eliminated in the first round by Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, who won decisively with a score of 6-4, 6-0. This upset highlights the unpredictable nature of the tournament and the increasing competitiveness among players.

Paolini and Kasatkina Advance

Jasmine Paolini, a finalist at Roland Garros in the past, secured her place in the next round by overcoming Dayana Yastremska after a challenging match. Paolini initially struggled but rallied to win the second set convincingly.

Daria Kasatkina also progressed, defeating Sonmez 6-4, 6-4. The match featured several breaks of serve, but Kasatkina’s resilience shone through as she fought back from an early deficit in the second set.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, Elena Rybakina is set to take the court, hoping to build on her recent success at the Australian Open. Additionally, rising star Rafael Jodar will face Aleksandar Kovacevic, marking a significant moment in his young career as he competes at a higher level.

As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and potential upsets, further showcasing the depth of talent in the women’s and men’s draws at this year’s French Open.