French Open qualifiers Day 2: Andreescu, Pliskova advance in Paris
Synopsis
Karolina Pliskova's stunning 0-6 capitulation followed by a dominant fightback was the defining image of Day 2 at Roland Garros qualifying — a microcosm of her entire comeback story. With Andreescu also advancing smoothly, two former Grand Slam champions are one round closer to reclaiming their place on the sport's biggest stages.
Key Takeaways
Bianca Andreescu defeated Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard 6-3, 6-2 in French Open qualifying on 19 May , targeting a 6th main-draw appearance at Roland Garros.
Karolina Pliskova staged a dramatic comeback, winning 0-6, 6-3, 6-1 over South Korea's Ku Yeon-woo after losing the first set to love.
Pliskova, 33 , is seeded 20th in qualifying and chasing her 14th Roland Garros main draw in 15 seasons .
US junior champion Jeline Vandromme lost in straight sets to Aoi Ito on her Grand Slam qualifying debut.
On Monday, Sloane Stephens , Tamara Zidansek , and Martina Trevisan were among those advancing in the opening qualifying round.
Bianca Andreescu and Karolina Pliskova both advanced into the second round of French Open qualifying on Tuesday, 19 May, as former Grand Slam champions and seasoned tour veterans navigated a rain-disrupted opening day at Roland Garros in Paris. The pair headlined a busy session that featured comebacks, upsets, and a clutch of teenage disappointments.
Andreescu Cruises, Eyes Main Draw Return
Andreescu looked sharp in her 6-3, 6-2 dismissal of French teenager Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard, a performance that underlined the former US Open champion's continued climb back up the rankings. Currently sitting at No. 160 in the world, the Canadian is chasing a sixth career main-draw appearance at Roland Garros. Her next opponent is Slovakia's Viktoria Hruncakova.
Pliskova's Remarkable Fightback
Karolina Pliskova produced arguably the day's most dramatic turnaround. The former world No. 1 was completely outclassed in the opening set by South Korea's Ku Yeon-woo, dropping it 0-6, before regrouping to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-1 and seal a place in round two. The 33-year-old Czech has been steadily rebuilding after prolonged leg problems that derailed much of her 2025 campaign and left her ranked outside the top 1,000 at the start of this season. Recent quarterfinal runs in Linz and Madrid signalled restored form ahead of Paris. Seeded 20th in qualifying, Pliskova is targeting a 14th Roland Garros main-draw appearance in the past 15 seasons. She will next face Spain's Marina Bassols Ribera.
Other Notable Results on Day 2
American third seed Ashlyn Krueger progressed comfortably, defeating French wild card Margaux Rouvroy 6-4, 6-3. Fellow American Robin Montgomery knocked out 31st seed Maddison Inglis in straight sets, while former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun recovered from a set down to beat China's Ma Ye-Xin 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Serbia's teenager Teodora Kostovic also impressed, brushing aside Elizabeth Mandlik 6-2, 6-2.
Teenage Hopefuls Come Unstuck
The day brought disappointment for several young players. 18-year-old Czech prospect Laura Samson fell in a marathon contest to Argentina's Julia Riera. Reigning US Open junior champion Jeline Vandromme lost in straight sets to Japan's Aoi Ito on her Grand Slam qualifying debut — a sobering introduction to senior major competition.
Monday's Qualifiers Set the Stage
Day 2 followed a strong opening on Monday, when former Roland Garros finalist Sloane Stephens, semifinalists Tamara Zidansek and Martina Trevisan, along with Irina-Camelia Begu and former junior champion Alina Korneeva, all advanced. Greek player Despina Papamichail caused an upset by eliminating top seed Lanlana Tararudee, while France's Carole Monnet battled through a tense three-set encounter to keep home hopes alive. The qualifying rounds continue as the Roland Garros main draw edges closer.
Point of View
For former Grand Slam champions, is itself a statement of vulnerability. Pliskova's 0-6 first set is a reminder of how steep the re-entry curve is after serious injury; her fightback is admirable, but the draw will only get harder. Andreescu's smooth progress masks a longer question: whether a player who has spent years managing physical setbacks can sustain a deep run on clay. Qualifying rounds at Roland Garros are a useful barometer for where the comeback arc actually stands.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with Bianca Andreescu at the French Open qualifiers?
Bianca Andreescu won her first-round qualifying match on 19 May, defeating French teenager Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard 6-3, 6-2. The former US Open champion, ranked No. 160, is aiming for her sixth career main-draw appearance at Roland Garros.
How did Karolina Pliskova recover to win her qualifier?
Pliskova lost the opening set 0-6 before regrouping to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-1 against South Korea's Ku Yeon-woo. It was a dramatic turnaround from the former world No. 1, who has been rebuilding after injury problems that left her ranked outside the top 1,000 at the start of the season.
Who are Andreescu and Pliskova facing in the next round?
Andreescu will next face Slovakia's Viktoria Hruncakova, while Pliskova takes on Spain's Marina Bassols Ribera in the second round of qualifying.
Which players advanced on Day 1 of French Open qualifying?
On Monday, former Roland Garros finalist Sloane Stephens, semifinalists Tamara Zidansek and Martina Trevisan, Irina-Camelia Begu, and former junior champion Alina Korneeva all progressed. Despina Papamichail also caused an upset, eliminating top seed Lanlana Tararudee.
Which young players suffered early exits in the French Open qualifiers?
18-year-old Czech talent Laura Samson lost a marathon match to Argentina's Julia Riera, and reigning US Open junior champion Jeline Vandromme was beaten in straight sets by Japan's Aoi Ito on her Grand Slam qualifying debut.
