Roland-Garros 2023 is underway
©Clément Mahoudeau / FFTDay one of qualifying has kicked off at Roland-Garros with plenty of action taking place across the grounds.
Fans on-site are being treated to a lot more than qualifying matches as they've been given access to watch some of the biggest stars prepare for the tournament with some intense practice sessions.
Teen phenom Mirra Andreeva needed just 65 minutes to book her spot in the second round of qualifying with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over world No.142 Polina Kudermetova.
The 16-year-old has made headlines this month as she produced a series of upsets en route to the Madrid Open last-16 stage - a run that was only ended by world No.2 and eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Andreeva was 16-0 in professional matches this season before losing to Sabalenka and is one of the most exciting young talents emerging on the WTA circuit.
Her next opponent is Colombian world No.205 Emiliana Arango, who was a 6-4, 6-1 winner over Japan's Himeno Sakatsume.
© Clément Mahoudeau/FFTLocal wildcard Margaux Rouvroy claimed a huge upset as she knocked out former Australian Open champion and Roland-Garros runner-up Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 39 minutes.
The 22-year-old Rouvroy, ranked 278 in the world, was contesting her first ever women's match at a Grand Slam event and looked undaunted by the occasion as she utilised her impressive court coverage to maximum effect to dismiss the former world No.4.
Kenin has slipped to 120 in the rankings after an injury-plagued 2022 campaign but was starting to find her form and produced a big performance to defeat world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka in Rome earlier this month.
The American led by a break multiple times throughout the match against Rouvroy but seemed troubled by a thigh injury that required medical attention in the second set.
Rouvroy will next take on 25-year-old Iryna Shymanovich.
©Cédric Lecocq / FFTLess than two weeks ago, Fabian Marozsan posted the biggest win of his career when he stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the Rome third round.
On Monday, the 23-year-old Hungarian defeated Australian Li Tu 6-3, 6-4, despite dealing with a leg injury that required medical attention during the match.
He next faces 18-year-old Chinese Jerry Shang, who ousted Uruguayan veteran Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 6-4.
© Loïc Wacziak/FFTNo.4 seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo ushered through a host of Argentinean players who all enjoyed successful openers on Monday.
The 21-year-old from Buenos Aires was joined in round two of qualifying by his compatriots Andrea Collarini, Renzo Olivo, Thiago Agustin Tirante and Facundo Bagnis.
Tunisian former world No.2 Ons Jabeur had her first hit on Court Philippe-Chatrier this morning, after arriving in Paris yesterday.
The Wimbledon and US Open finalist sparred with her coach Issam Jellali and also got to catch up with Roland-Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo.
© Corinne Dubreuil/FFTLast year's runner-up Coco Gauff, former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka and current world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka were also spotted practising on Court Philippe-Chatrier and Court Simonne-Mathieu as preparations ramp up for main draw action at Roland-Garros.
© Corinne Dubreuil/FFTFormer Roland-Garros junior champion Dominic Stricker began his qualifying campaign with a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over Dutch world No.169 Jelle Sels.
The 20-year-old Swiss continues his search for a Grand Slam main draw debut, having bowed out in qualifying at the previous five majors.
Stricker faces Czech Republic's Dalibor Svrcina in the second round.
© Philippe Montigny/FFTWomen's qualifying top seed Camila Osorio recovered from an early break down to make her way past Cypriot Raluka Serban 6-4, 6-3 in 91 minutes.
The affable Colombian was ranked as high as No.33 in the world last year but has slipped through the charts and is making her way back up.
Recent strong showings in Madrid and Rome have prepared the 21-year-old well for what could be a tricky qualifying week in Paris, where Mirra Andreeva looms as a potential third-round opponent.
© Philippe Montigny/FFTThe battle for main draw spots will be fierce this week. We've picked out some players to keep an eye on.
ROLAND-GARROS
20 May - 9 June 2024
