Former Grand Slam champions Bianca Andreescu and Karolina Pliskova successfully progressed through the second day of qualifying at the French Open despite rain interruptions in Paris.
Andreescu delivered a composed performance to defeat French teenager Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard 6-3, 6-2. The former US Open champion, currently working her way back up the rankings, is seeking a return to the Roland Garros main draw for the sixth time in her career. She will now face Slovakia’s Viktoria Hruncakova in the next qualifying round.
Pliskova staged one of the standout comebacks of the day after dropping the opening set 0-6 against South Korea’s Ku Yeon-woo. The experienced Czech recovered strongly to claim a 0-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory and continue her push toward another main-draw appearance in Paris.
The former world No. 1 has steadily regained form following injury troubles that disrupted much of her previous season. Entering the tournament with improved confidence after recent strong performances in Linz and Madrid, Pliskova is aiming for her 14th Roland Garros main-draw appearance in the last 15 years. She next faces Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera.
American third seed Ashlyn Krueger also advanced comfortably with a straight-sets win over French wildcard Margaux Rouvroy. Fellow American Robin Montgomery defeated 31st seed Maddison Inglis, while former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun fought back from a set down to overcome China’s Ma Ye-Xin.
Several young players, however, bowed out of the competition. Czech teenager Laura Samson lost a lengthy battle to Argentina’s Julia Riera, while reigning US Open junior champion Jeline Vandromme suffered defeat against Japan’s Aoi Ito in her Grand Slam qualifying debut.
Serbia’s Teodora Kostovic produced one of the most dominant displays of the day, defeating Elizabeth Mandlik 6-2, 6-2 to progress with ease.
Earlier qualifying action had already seen experienced names such as Sloane Stephens, Tamara Zidansek, and Martina Trevisan move into the next round. Former junior champion Alina Korneeva and Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu also continued their campaigns in Paris.
Greek player Despina Papamichail produced one of the early surprises by knocking out top seed Lanlana Tararudee, while French wildcard Carole Monnet kept local hopes alive after surviving a tough three-set encounter.
