The 2026 French Open is officially underway, with the qualifying rounds complete and the main draw set. Attention now turns to a blockbuster opening day on Sunday, May 24, as some of the biggest stars take center stage at Roland Garros. With 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, former US Open winner Emma Raducanu, and world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in action, here’s a closer look at the top matches you won’t want to miss.
Alexander Zverev vs. Benjamin Bonzi
No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev will resume his hunt for his maiden Grand Slam title against home hope Benjamin Bonzi in the first round, marking their first tour-level encounter. Zverev came close to lifting the coveted trophy in 2024 before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. After falling short against Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals last year, the German will be eyeing another deep run in Paris.
Meanwhile, Bonzi has never advanced past the second round of his home Slam. Despite fitness concerns surrounding Zverev, the German enters the clash as the firm favorite. The showdown will take place on Court Philippe-Chatrier, immediately after the conclusion of Belinda Bencic’s clash with Sinja Kraus, which will begin at 12:00 p.m. local time (CEST), 6:00 a.m. ET, and 11:00 a.m. BST.
Novak Djokovic vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
After being upset by Dino Prižmić in his sole preparatory clay-court match before the French Open, Djokovic will test himself against home favorite Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his opener at Roland Garros. While the 24-time Grand Slam champion voiced fitness concerns in his pre-tournament press conference, he also expressed belief in his ability to contend for the title, signaling a confident approach to his campaign.
Djokovic and Mpetshi Perricard will headline the evening session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, with their battle scheduled to begin no earlier than 8:15 p.m. local time (CEST), 2:15 p.m. ET, and 7:15 p.m. BST.
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Hailey Baptiste vs. Barbora Krejčíková
No. 26 seed Hailey Baptiste will commence her campaign with a tough challenge against 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejčíková. However, the American will draw confidence from her impressive run to the semifinals of the WTA 1000 event in Madrid, during which she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The duo will enter the contest with their head-to-head record tied at 1-1, though it was Baptiste who emerged victorious in their most recent encounter at the 2024 Wuhan Open, winning 6-3, 7-5. They will battle it out on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, following the clash between Karen Khachanov and Arthur Gea, which will commence at 11:00 a.m. local time (CEST), 5:00 a.m. ET, and 10:00 a.m. BST.
Marta Kostyuk vs. Oksana Selekhmeteva
After winning her maiden WTA 1000 title at the Madrid Open, Marta Kostyuk was forced to withdraw from the Italian Open due to hip and ankle issues. Having taken some time to recover, the No. 15 seed will be eager to make a strong return against Oksana Selekhmeteva in their first encounter on the WTA Tour.
Kostyuk will hold the edge in experience, as Selekhmeteva has never advanced past the first round of the French Open. The duo will kick off the action on Court Simonne-Mathieu at 11:00 a.m. local time (CEST), 5:00 a.m. ET, and 10:00 a.m. BST.
João Fonseca vs. Luka Pavlovic
No. 28 seed João Fonseca recently pulled out of the Hamburg Open after feeling discomfort in his right wrist. However, the Brazilian star has confirmed he is fully fit to compete at the French Open, where he will face qualifier Luka Pavlovic in his opening match. The Frenchman earned his spot in the main draw after beating Harry Wendelken, Tomás Barrios Vera, and Darwin Blanch in the qualifying rounds.
Fonseca, who suffered early exits in both Madrid and Rome, will be looking to make a resurgence at the clay-court Major after losing in the third round last year. His clash with Pavlovic is scheduled as the fourth and final match of the day on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
Sofia Kenin vs. Peyton Stearns
Sofia Kenin and Peyton Stearns are set to lock horns in an all-American battle in the first round of Roland Garros. Kenin will be searching for form during her campaign, having won just two matches across the clay-court swing. Similarly, Stearns has also struggled to make a deep run on the surface this season.
However, Stearns will enter the contest with the head-to-head advantage, having claimed a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Kenin in their sole previous encounter at this year’s Australian Open. Their match is scheduled for Court 14, following Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s clash with Damir Džumhur and Beatriz Haddad Maia’s showdown with Francesca Jones.
Emma Raducanu vs. Solana Sierra
Emma Raducanu will also be in action on Day 1 of the French Open, taking on Solana Sierra in the first round. The Brit missed nearly the entirety of the clay-court swing due to lingering effects of a viral illness. After a two-month hiatus, she recently made her comeback at the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg, where she suffered a 6-4, 7-6(4) loss to Diana Parry in her opening match.
Raducanu and Sierra will square off on Court 13, with their clash following the contests between Pablo Llamas Ruiz and Thiago Agustín Tirante, and Tomás Martín Etcheverry and Nuno Borges.
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French Open 2026 Day 1: Where to Watch
The live broadcast of Day 1 at the 2026 French Open will be available on the following channels and streaming platforms:
USA: TNT, HBO Max, TruTV
UK: TNT Sports, HBO Max
Europe: Eurosport
India: Sony Sports
Australia: Nine Network, Stan Sport
Brazil: ESPN
Asia: beIN Sports
