Sofia Kenin loses Roland Garros qualifying opener, less than two weeks after defeating Sabalenka

FLASHBACK: Kenin knocks out Sabalenka in Rome

Tennis can be a brutal sport. Just ask Sofia Kenin.

Just over two-and-a-half years ago, Kenin was a win away from raising the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen at an autumn-staged Roland Garros. Three editions later, the former world No. 4 is nowhere near that landmark occasion.

On May 11, Kenin showed promising signs of better days to come on clay in Rome, when she upended second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in a battle of Australian Open champions. It secured her first Top 10 win since 2020.

Eleven days later, Kenin crashed out in the first round of French Open qualifying to wild card Margaux Rouvroy. The 278th-ranked Frenchwoman defeated the No. 23 seed, 6-4, 6-3, thanks to a six for eight conversion rate on her break point chances.

On the flip side, the fast-rising Mirra Andreeva impressed in her Grand Slam qualifying debut.

The 16-year-old, who turned plenty of heads with her fourth-round run at the Mutua Madrid Open after qualifying, dispatched No. 31 seed Polina Kudermetova, 6-1, 6-4. Andreeva will next take on Emiliana Arango.

Top qualifying seed Camila Osorio was also among Monday’s winners. The Colombian beat Raluka Serban of Cyprus, 6-4, 6-3. Osorio secured her first main-draw win at the Paris major last year over home hopeful Harmony Tan.

In men’s qualifying action, Americans Denis Kudla and Brandon Holt, along with 37-year-old Pablo Cuevas, were among the competitors sent packing.

One of Rome’s breakout performers—Fabian Marozsan—successfully opened his bid to reach a first main draw on the major stage. The Hungarian defeated Li Tu, 6-3, 6-4, to set a showdown with 18-year-old Jerry Shang.