Olaniyi AyoolaIn the opening round of the 2025 French Open, Olga Danilović delivered a commanding performance to defeat 27th seed Leylah Fernandez 6–3, 6–1, securing her place in the second round at Roland Garros.
Danilović’s recent form has been impressive. She clinched the WTA 125 title at the Antalya Challenger in March and reached the final of the Open de Rouen in April, propelling her to a career-high ranking of world No. 34. This momentum was evident in her match against Fernandez, where she dominated with aggressive baseline play and consistent serving.
Prior to this encounter, Fernandez held a 1–0 head-to-head advantage, having defeated Danilović in three sets during the 2021 Billie Jean King Cup. However, Danilović’s recent surge in performance made her the favorite, with predictive models giving her a 61% chance of victory.
Fernandez, despite her higher ranking and previous success against Danilović, struggled to find rhythm on the clay surface. Her recent form has been inconsistent, with only three wins in her last ten matches, compared to Danilović’s seven. This disparity was evident as Danilović controlled the match from start to finish.
With this victory, Danilović advances to the second round, showcasing her potential as a formidable contender in the tournament. Her recent achievements and current form suggest she could make a significant impact at Roland Garros this year.
John Owolabi
Musa
