French Open Day 2 Highlights: Ruud, Swiatek, Shelton advance to next round as Wawrinka waves goodbye

15th seed Casper Ruud overcame Roman Safiullin in a thrilling five-set battle, winning 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 0-6, 6-2. Ruud made a strong start before Safiullin fought back to level the contest and dominate the fourth set.

However, Ruud regained control in the decider, holding his nerve to close out the match and secure a hard-earned victory.

Fifth seed American Ben Shilton advanced to the next round of the French Open with a commanding straight-sets victory over Spain’s Daniel Merida, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, in a solid opening-round performance in Paris.

Shilton maintained control throughout the match, breaking at key moments in each set to wrap up a confident win and book his place in the second round at Roland Garros.
 

Roman Safiullin has forced a fourth set against Casper Ruud after battling back to claim the third set 7-5. Ruud had taken control early, winning the first two sets 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), but Safiullin has refused to fade in the intense Paris heat, keeping the contest alive.

The Russian arrived at this stage after a hard-fought qualifying victory over Germany’s Tom Gentzsch, edging through 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4 in a physically demanding encounter.

Stan Wawrinka waved goodbye to the French Open on Monday after a first-round defeat in what was his final appearance at Roland Garros before retirement. The 2015 champion and 2017 finalist lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Jesper de Jong in scorching conditions in Paris.

After the match, de Jong urged the crowd to applaud Wawrinka, as the Swiss veteran acknowledged the ovation and brought down the curtain on a memorable French Open journey spanning over two decades.

Amanda Anisimova booked her place in the second round of the French Open with a comfortable straight-sets victory, defeating French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-3, 6-1 in dominant fashion.

Meanwhile, seventh seed Elina Svitolina was forced to dig deep after dropping the opening set against Hungary’s Anna Bondar. The Ukrainian recovered strongly to seal a hard-fought 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-3) win and move into the next round.

In the men’s singles draw, Casper Ruud was locked in a tense contest against Russia’s Roman Safiullin. Ruud claimed the opening set 6-2, but the second set remained finely poised at 6-6 (2-1) as the match headed into a tiebreak.

The 41-year-old Stan Wawrinka, who was competing in the final French Open of his career, took on qualifier Jesper de Jong, who took the spot of Arthur Fils after the top French player withdrew due to a hip issue, in the first round.

The 2015 champion Wawrinka lost the tie 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 as the Dutchman de Jong shocked the Swiss.

Hungarian world No. 57 Anna Bondar has put seventh seed Elina Svitolina under pressure after taking the opening set 6-3. However, Ukranian Svitolina has responded strongly in the second set, racing to a 4-1 lead as she looks to turn the match around.

World No. 2 Elena Rybakina powered into the next round of the French Open with a dominant straight-sets victory, defeating Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2 in convincing fashion.

It’s time for the reigning Australian Open champion to begin her French Open journey!

Elena Rybakina is in action against Slovenia's Veronika Erjavec in this opening-round clash, and the expectations couldn't be higher. The big-serving Kazakh steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier with one glaring gap in her resume, this is the one Grand Slam title she has yet to conquer.

Twice she has come close, reaching the quarter-finals in Paris, but the clay-court crown has so far eluded her. Now, with that Australian Open triumph still fresh in memory, Rybakina will be desperate to turn promise into perfection on the slow red dirt.

What a blistering start this has been from Iga Swiatek, the four-time Roland Garros champion announcing her intent in ruthless fashion. She has dismantled wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in just about an hour, barely breaking a sweat as she stamped her authority from the very first game.

Next up, the Pole will face Czech teenager Sara Bejlek, who pulled off a notable upset by knocking out former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the opening round.

What a statement win this is from Jasmine Paolini, who has made a brilliant start to the Roland Garros. The 2024 finalist has made light work of her opening-round challenge, defeating Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska 7-5, 6-3 in just an hour and 40 minutes, showing poise, control, and big-match composure when it mattered most.

Paolini now moves confidently into the next round, where she will face Argentina's Solana Sierra, who produced one of the early shocks by knocking out British No.1 Emma Raducanu in the opening round.

What a commanding display this is from Jasmine Paolini as she tightens her grip on the contest against Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska.

Paolini is in full control right now, leading 7-5, 4-1, and looking increasingly unstoppable from the baseline.

At Court Philippe-Chatrier, the reigning clay-court queen Iga Swiatek is back in business!

The four-time French Open champion is locked in battle against wildcard Emerson Jones, and there's an early sense that Swiatek means serious intent this time around. After her semi-final exit last year, she arrives in Paris carrying unfinished business.

Alex de Minaur is up and running in style!

The Australian has taken the opening set 6-4 against Britain's Toby Samuel, showing exactly why he's such a relentless competitor from the baseline. De Minaur was sharp, composed, and clinical at the key moment, pouncing on his chances and converting one of his three break points to grab the early advantage.

Samuel will feel he had moments in that set, but the difference has been efficiency under pressure. De Minaur just does not give you much breathing room once he gets into rhythm.

Alex de Minaur, the eighth seed, is currently in action against Britain's Toby Samuel on Court 14 as the Australian looks to begin his French Open campaign in dominant fashion.

Meanwhile, over on Court 7, China's Zheng Qinwen is battling Poland's Maja Chwalinska in an intriguing clash at Roland Garros.

Here's the schedule for Day 2 of the French Open 2026

Court Philippe-Chatrier

• Emerson Jones vs (3) Iga Swiatek
• Veronika Erjavec vs (2) Elena Rybakina
• (32) Ugo Humbert vs Adrian Mannarino
• Not before 11:45 PM - Hugo Gaston vs Gael Monfils

Court Suzanne-Lenglen

• (22) Arthur Rinderknech vs Jurij Rodionov
• (7) Elina Svitolina vs Anna Bondar
• Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah vs (6) Amanda Anisimova
• Daniel Merida vs (5) Ben Shelton

Court Simonne-Mathieu

• (13) Jasmine Paolini vs Dayana Yastremska
• Stan Wawrinka vs Jesper de Jong
• (15) Casper Ruud vs Roman Safiullin
• Anastasia Zakharova vs (10) Karolina Muchova