As the 2025 French Open draws near, the WTA rankings reveal a shifting landscape at the top of women’s tennis, setting the stage for an exciting French Open tournament. Aryna Sabalenka retains her position as World No. 1 with 10,683 points, despite an early quarterfinal exit at the Italian Open. Coco Gauff climbs to World No. 2 after reaching the final in Rome, while Jessica Pegula holds steady at No. 3. Jasmine Paolini’s recent victory at the Italian Open propels her to a career-best No. 4. Defending French Open champion Iga Świątek slips to No. 5, marking her lowest ranking since 2022 following an early exit in Rome.
This reshuffling among the top contenders promises a dynamic and unpredictable French Open on the clay courts of Roland Garros, where past champions will have to fight hard to defend their titles amid rising challengers.
Bianca Andreescu Makes Comeback in French Open Qualifying
Attention also turns to the French Open qualifying rounds, where former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is making a much-anticipated return to Grand Slam tennis after a six-month hiatus caused by a back injury. Currently ranked No. 121, Andreescu has shown promising form recently, reaching the fourth round at the Italian Open with wins over Donna Vekic and Elena Rybakina before falling to Zheng Qinwen.
First-Round Clash: Andreescu vs Yao Xinxin
In the first round of the French Open qualifying, Andreescu faces China’s rising talent Yao Xinxin. The 21-year-old Yao, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 205 earlier this year, has mainly competed on the ITF circuit and recently won the ITF W75 title in Nonthaburi. This will be the first-ever meeting between Andreescu and Yao, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to the match.
Match Prediction and Outlook
Given Andreescu’s higher ranking, extensive Grand Slam experience, and recent performances, she is the clear favorite in this qualifying battle. Experts expect her powerful baseline game and tactical versatility to be decisive against Yao’s challenge on the clay courts. Nonetheless, Yao’s youth and momentum suggest she will not be an easy opponent.
What to Expect at the 2025 French Open
As the main draw approaches, tennis fans around the world eagerly await how top players like Sabalenka, Gauff, and Pegula will perform amid a changing leaderboard. Rising stars such as Andreescu and Yao aim to make their mark in this prestigious Grand Slam.
With fierce competition across both the main and qualifying rounds, the 2025 French Open promises thrilling matches, surprising outcomes, and inspiring stories of determination in women’s tennis.
