Daniil Medvedev arrived at Roland Garros with recent clay results that suggested he could trouble the top players, yet Paris again halted his progress. After a semifinal showing at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia this month, where he pushed Jannik Sinner to three sets, Medvedev suffered a five-set defeat to Adam Walton and recorded his seventh opening-round exit in 10 main-draw appearances at the French Open.

The loss felt particularly perplexing: Medvedev led 4-2 in the final set, held multiple break points two games later and served for the match, only to lose the final four games. The defeat also represented his fourth Grand Slam opening-round exit in his last six majors.

When asked for an explanation in his post-match press conference, Medvedev refused to offer one. “I don’t want to find excuses,” he said. “I know why I don’t really play always my best in Roland Garros, but if I say it, it’s excuses. So, I keep it to myself.”

Despite the Paris setback, the former No. 1 and 2021 US Open champion insisted that his capacity to perform on the biggest stages has not vanished. “I do think it can come back any moment, meaning at Wimbledon, for example,” teased Medvedev, who reached back-to-back semifinals at SW19 in 2023 and 2024. “But again, if we talk in general about all four Grand Slams, I think if we compared all four Grand Slams to five years ago, the game is different in these Grand Slams, and I don’t think it suits me well. So, it’s very tough for me to get the rhythm going.

“First round is the toughest one, and once I get through it, maybe I can do better.”

Medvedev’s clay swing showed moments of promise, but Roland Garros remains a recurring stumbling block. He will head into the remainder of the season aware of both his recent clay form and the persistent difficulty he faces in Paris.

Victoria Mboko has moved quickly through the professional ranks and believes the addition of Wim Fissette to her team can accelerate her quest for a major title.

The 19-year-old Canadian debuted the partnership last week at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, reaching the final before losing in three sets to Emma Navarro. It was an immediate sign of progress after a season that included setbacks and adaptation to clay.

Mboko first played a Grand Slam in Paris last year, when she qualified and reached the third round. That breakthrough helped spark a rapid rise that has her sitting in the Top 10 12 months later.

Fissette brings a long résumé. He has coached major winners including Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek, among others. His partnership with the last of those ended after the Miami Open in March, and Mboko hopes her name will soon join that list of decorated champions.

“I think bringing in someone who has the experience of working with such high-ranked players, and he has such a history of working with Slam champions, and he kind of knows what it takes to get there,” she said Monday ahead of her first-round Roland Garros match against Nikola Bartunkova. “So bringing in that kind of experience for me kind of gives me a different perspective of what I can do to be in those kinds of positions.”

If Strasbourg was any indication, the new combination is already producing benefits. Mboko admitted she did not expect to reach the final after an “unlucky” stretch that included wisdom teeth surgery and an illness that forced her to withdraw from the WTA 1000 in Rome, as well as a limited background on clay.

“When I first started training, I mean, I never really felt comfortable with my movement on clay,” she said. “So I think before even getting to the tennis part, I would try to work on the sliding and what not.

“I wouldn’t say I’m still that great at it, but I think it’s having the fitness to kind of compensate for how you play on court and to kind of help you in those certain aspects. I think right now I’m a lot better than how I started the training, so I think in those ways I’ve improved.”

At 22, Adolfo Daniel Vallejo arrives in the Roland Garros main draw for the first time, a rapid ascent from not even being in qualifying a year ago to direct entry this season. Widely known as “Dani,” the Asunción native has compiled most of his recent success on clay, winning four of his five ATP Challenger Tour titles since last October.

He opens the tournament against No. 20 seed Cameron Norrie on Tuesday, a tough first assignment after a strong run of results that included reaching the third round in Madrid as a qualifier in April, where he defeated Grigor Dimitrov and Learner Tien.

VALLEJO: I’m very excited. I have a first round that’s tough and it’s gonna be a battle. I’m well prepared. I had a good last week, where I made the final in the Valenica Challenger. So I’m with a lot of confidence, getting good sessions with practice. I’m ready.

Vallejo said consistent match play has been the key to his climb, a point he reiterated in conversation about his game and mindset.

VALLEJO: I’m competing really well, all the matches. That’s the most important, always, to compete every match. I think I’m doing my best in that. I’m really solid from the baseline right now. Winning a lot matches gives you confidence. I’m happy with that.

On-court preparation has included hitting with Juan Manuel and his brother Francisco, and an upcoming practice with Sinner.

VALLEJO: I practice with Juan Manuel and then his brother Francisco. On Sunday, I play with Sinner. I’m so excited. I’m just enjoying all the days.

He also recalled a previous session with that top player in Madrid.

VALLEJO: I worked him out in Madrid. And he won, so hopefully he gives me the good luck.

Vallejo is conscious of the history Paraguay has at this event and the expectations that come with representing his country.

VALLEJO: Yes, Paraguay has a good history in Roland Garros. Victor Pecci made the final and semifinals. Ramon Delgado beat Pete Sampras. Hopefully I can do something similar within the years.

He summed up how he views himself and his roots.

VALLEJO: I’m very South American! I think that’s the best thing to know about me. Paraguay is what you think about with South Americans. Very linked to the family, the food, similar to Spain here in Europe.