Coco Gauff was looking to kick off her French Open campaign with a big win in her opening match.
The American star has enjoyed a stellar clay-court season in 2025, reaching the final of both WTA 1000 events on the surface.
In Madrid, Gauff lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final, having dominated Iga Swiatek, 6-1, 6-1, in the semi-finals.
Heading over to Rome for the Italian Open, Gauff beat Qinwen Zheng to qualify for the final, where she came up short against home-favorite Jasmine Paolini.
She’ll no doubt be hoping to go all the way at the French Open and made a strong start, winning her opening match 6-2, 6-2.
After the match, Gauff’s fellow American and WTA legend, Chris Evert, revealed what she noticed about the 21-year-old during her win over Olivia Gadecki.
Chris Evert says Coco Gauff’s unforced error count was ‘high’ during her opening win in Paris
Working as a co-commentator for TNT Sports, Evert gave her verdict on Gauff’s first-round win over Gadecki.
“She played as well as she could have under the circumstances of the wind,” said Evert.
“She played consistently, first serve points won 68%, unforced errors were high for her, winners 15, that’s acceptable.
“At the end of the day, the conditions were tough, I always think when it’s really windy, it’s like two games favored to the underdog because you just never know.
“She seemed in good spirits, she’s eager, and I think she senses that this is a winnable Major for her.”
| Player | Aces | 1st Serve % | 1st Serve points won % | 2nd Serve points won % | Winners | Unforced errors |
| Coco Gauff | 0 | 60% | 68% | 48% | 12 | 22 |
| Olivia Gadecki | 0 | 58% | 55% | 14% | 8 | 33 |
Evert was impressed with Gauff’s win, but suggested there could still be room for improvement with her serve.
“Solid, solid as a rock, not spectacular, but she didn’t need to play spectacular,” she said.
“Very business-like, did better on the pressure points, those 30-30 points, she lifted the level of her play.
“Maybe back to the drawing board a little bit, maybe she’s going to practise her serve, or maybe it was all about the wind, but you’ve got to play in the wind, so you still have to practise your serve in the wind, right?
“But good job, she looks happy, looks relieved, but I think that’s how everybody feels when they play their first round, relieved.”
The 18-time Major champion then assessed another area of Gauff’s game which has been criticized recently, the forehand.
“I thought the forehand was pretty good, pretty solid, I didn’t see a lot of mishits, especially in the wind, I thought she was moving in, hitting the ball in front of her, so I think she’ll be happy,” said Evert.
Who will Coco Gauff play in the second round of the French Open?
Next up for Gauff is Czech teenager Tereza Valentova, who has already won four matches in Paris, having advanced through the qualifying competition.
- 2025 French Open 1R – Tereza Valentova beat Chloe Paquet, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
- 2025 French Open Q3R – Tereza Valentova beat Simona Waltert, 6-2, 6-4
- 2025 French Open Q2R – Tereza Valentova beat Dalma Galfi, 6-4, 6-1
- 2025 French Open Q1R – Tereza Valentova beat Arina Rodionova, 6-2, 6-2
The 18-year-old is appearing in her first Grand Slam main draw, but has already enjoyed success at Roland Garros, winning the singles and doubles titles at the junior event in 2024.
Valentova is currently ranked 172nd in the world and has yet to secure a top-ten win on the WTA Tour, but will no doubt be up for the challenge when she takes to the court against Gauff.
Gauff will be confident of coming away with the win, however, having dominated players younger than her during her career to date.
Valentova and Gauff will face off for a place in the French Open third round on Thursday, May 29.
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