The 2026 edition of the French Open is about to get underway, and the women’s tournament is very unpredictable.
Perhaps the biggest favourite for the WTA event is world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who finished as the runner-up last year.
But Sabalenka has endured a fairly disappointing clay swing so far, having suffered a quarterfinal exit in Madrid before bowing out in the third round of the Italian Open.
How would you now rate Aryna Sabalenka’s chances of winning the French Open on a scale of 1-10?
Meanwhile, defending champion Coco Gauff has also had an up-and-down clay season, while four-time Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek has also struggled for form this year.
Prior to the main draw kicking off, a big story has unfolded in qualifying, headlined by former Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens.
Sloane Stephens comes through qualifying at Roland Garros
Stephens, who reached the final of the French Open back in 2018, booked her place in the main draw on Thursday after coming through qualifying.
The American star came back from a set down against Spaniard Leyre Romero Gormaz to advance to round one in Paris.
Stephens put together an incredible campaign back in 2018, during which she dropped just one set en route to the final.
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
She beat the likes of Daria Kasatkina and Maddison Keys, before ultimately falling to Simona Halep in the championship match.
Since then, Stephens has made two quarterfinals in Paris, but has not been able to match her 2018 finish.
Sloane Stephens result at the first Grand Slam of 2026
Stephens will be competing in her second Grand Slam main draw this year, having already featured at the Australian Open.
In Melbourne, Stephens also had to come through qualifying to reach the first round, where she was beaten in straight sets.
The US star lost to former world number one Karolina Pliskova, who won 7-6, 6-2.
Stephens last made it past the first round of a Grand Slam at the 2022 Wimbledon championships.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
