Italy's tennis contingent delivered a near-perfect opening day at Roland Garros, with four men advancing to the second round while heat conditions in Paris challenged players and organizers alike. The results underscore Italy's growing strength in men's tennis even as physical setbacks continue to plague the women's side.
Why This Matters
• Italy matched its best Grand Slam opening performance with four men through to round two, signaling depth beyond just Jannik Sinner.
• Sinner extended his winning streak, building on recent form with his success capturing the Internazionali d'Italia title in Rome.
• Extreme heat in Paris has forced new protocols and raised health concerns for athletes and spectators throughout the tournament.
• Women's hopes dimmed early as Elisabetta Cocciaretto withdrew hampered by recurring knee issues.
Sinner Extends Dominance Under Paris Lights
Jannik Sinner, ranked world No. 1 and the pride of Italy's tennis resurgence, cruised past French wild card Clément Tabur (ranked No. 171) in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 during the evening session at Court Philippe Chatrier. The match lasted just over two hours, and Sinner—who had recently captured the Internazionali d'Italia title in Rome—showed few signs of fatigue despite the brutal daytime heat that had plagued earlier matches.
The victory marked another milestone in Sinner's dominant form, continuing his impressive run as the hottest player on the men's tour heading into what remains the only Grand Slam title missing from his growing collection. The South Tyrolean star will face Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerúndolo (No. 56) in the second round, a player he has beaten comfortably in their previous encounters.
"I'm very happy to be back here," Sinner told the crowd in French after the match. "Everything about this is special. The first match in a Slam is never easy—it's always emotional to start a new adventure. Thanks for coming and for the fair play."
Sinner's methodical dismantling of Tabur showcased his trademark heavy groundstrokes and deep returns. The Frenchman, from Reims, struggled to keep pace, winning just four games across the match. Though Tabur showed flashes of resistance in the third set—saving three match points before Sinner closed at the sixth—the result was never in doubt.
Berrettini, Arnaldi, Darderi Complete Italian Sweep
Matteo Berrettini, the Roman currently ranked No. 105 after a series of injuries derailed his career trajectory, fought back from a set down to defeat Hungary's Márton Fucsovics (No. 65) 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2. The victory—hard-fought over four sets—sets up a second-round clash with France's Arthur Rinderknech, the tournament's No. 22 seed, a match that promises to test Berrettini's improved clay-court form.
Matteo Arnaldi delivered perhaps the grittiest performance of the day, outlasting Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (No. 33) in a nearly four-hour marathon 6-7 (9), 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-3. The No. 104-ranked Italian embraced the physical toll, telling reporters afterward: "These are my matches. I love to fight, I love to play long, I love the physical grind. If I can bring that into matches, I believe I get the best out of myself and my tennis."
Arnaldi will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas in round two, a rematch of their previous clash at Roland Garros.
Luciano Darderi rounded out the Italian quartet with a composed straight-sets win over Austria's Sebastian Ofner, prevailing 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-3. Darderi, after weathering a tense opening set tiebreak, took control and sealed the match in under two and a half hours.
Cocciaretto's Campaign Ends Early Amid Injury Woes
On the women's side, Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto was eliminated in the opening round by 18-year-old Russian qualifier Alina Korneeva, losing in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. Cocciaretto, visibly hampered by a recurring left knee injury, called for a medical timeout between sets and had her knee taped, but could not muster the mobility needed to compete.
"My priority now is to heal 100%, especially to train properly," Cocciaretto said in her post-match press conference. "This pain only goes away with rest. It came back in Rouen, then got worse in Rome. I'm sorry to always be talking about my injuries, but unfortunately that's the reality."
The two-time Billie Jean King Cup champion (2024, 2025) insisted she would continue competing, though her physical struggles have become a recurring theme in a season marred by setbacks.
Heat Wave Turns Paris Into a Furnace
The opening days of Roland Garros have been overshadowed by an unprecedented heat wave gripping Paris, with temperatures climbing significantly and weather forecasts predicting peaks in the high 30s Celsius across France. The extreme conditions have forced organizers to consider implementing special protocols to manage the physical toll on players and spectators.
Players competing in the heat have reported severe physical challenges. Norway's Casper Ruud, who survived a five-set battle with Russia's Roman Safiullin, described the conditions as physically debilitating. "I felt like a zombie," Ruud said. "I had the same thing in Washington a few years ago and had to retire. I had vertigo, I felt like a zombie. Luckily, I was still leading two sets to one, so I told myself I had to lower my body temperature and hang on for the fifth. Thankfully, it worked."
Health officials have warned about the serious health risks facing not only players but also ball kids, umpires, line judges, staff, security, and spectators. Risks include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and reduced performance.
On-site at the Porte d'Auteuil complex, spectators crowded into rare shaded zones under trees and canopies, while long lines formed at misting stations set up in the tournament village to provide relief.
Medvedev's Clay Curse Continues
In one of the day's biggest upsets, Russia's Daniil Medvedev (No. 8) was knocked out in the first round by Australian wild card Adam Walton (No. 97) in a five-set thriller 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. The loss extends Medvedev's dismal Roland Garros record, with first-round exits being a recurring pattern for the hard-court specialist.
Medvedev's struggles on clay are well-documented. His flat-hitting style and powerful serve—lethal on hard courts—lose effectiveness on the slower, higher-bouncing surface. He has openly acknowledged his struggles with the surface.
For Walton, 27, the victory marked his first career win over a top-10 player and his first main-draw win at Roland Garros. He will face American Zachary Svajda (No. 85) in round two.
Other Notable Results
Elsewhere on day one, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 from Belarus, advanced past Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (No. 50) 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes, though she showed inconsistency, squandering early leads in both sets. Sabalenka is chasing her first Roland Garros title, the only Slam still missing from her résumé.
American Jessica Pegula (No. 5) became the first top-10 seed to fall, losing 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Australia's Kimberly Birrell (No. 83), who had never won a main-draw match in Paris before.
What This Means for Italian Tennis Fans
The clean sweep by Italy's men signals a generational shift in Italian tennis. With Sinner leading the charge and a supporting cast of Berrettini, Arnaldi, and Darderi all capable of deep runs, Italian fans have more reason than ever to follow Grand Slam action closely. Sinner's quest for a maiden Roland Garros crown is now the focal point of this tournament.
However, the women's side remains a concern. Cocciaretto's injury troubles highlight the physical toll of the modern tour, and Italy will need to develop greater depth to compete at the highest level.
With the heat wave expected to persist, organizers and players alike will be watching closely for any changes to scheduling or protocol. For those planning to attend or watch from Italy, evening sessions under the lights may offer the most compelling—and comfortable—tennis.
