Roland Garros draw for Gauff: American given relatively kind opening
Coco Gauff is set to start her title defence at Roland Garros, returning to the scene of her biggest career win.
She lifted the trophy last year after a straight-sets victory over Aryna Sabalenka, dropping just two sets throughout a run that also included wins over Madison Keys and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
This season’s clay swing has been mixed for Gauff, but she did show progress in Rome by reaching the final of the Italian Open.
The 22-year-old will open her campaign against unseeded Clara Tauson before a potential second-round clash with either qualifier Sara Errani or Kimberly Birrell.
A third-round meeting could then see the American take on former Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina, followed by Ana Bogdan in round four.
Gauff’s most likely quarter-final opponent is No.7 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia and she could face either Elena Rybakina or Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals if things play out according to seeding.
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Gauff starts her campaign against fellow American Taylor Townsend and could face either Dalma Galfi or a qualifier in the next round if she moves on.
If she reaches the third round, her opponents might be Anastasia Potapova or Katie Boulter. A potential fourth-round matchup could come against Alexandrova or Anna Kalinskaya.
Amanda Anisimova may be waiting in the quarter-finals, setting up another all-American clash if both players advance that far.
The semi-finals could see a rematch with Sabalenka, who finished runner-up to Gauff in Paris last year and remains a strong presence on this side of the draw.
Elena Rybakina, seeded second, is on the opposite half and might be waiting in the final. The two have already met twice this season, with Gauff coming out on top both times in tight three-set contests.
Of all the Grand Slams, Coco Gauff has enjoyed her best results at Roland Garros. Even in her first appearance back in 2020, when she exited in the second round, there were signs of promise.
Since then, she hasn’t missed a quarterfinal. Her steady climb began with a runner-up finish to Iga Swiatek in 2022 before reaching another quarterfinal in 2023 and then making the semifinals a year later. That progression finally paid off last season when she lifted her first title on the Paris clay.
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