With a strong collective performance on clay throughout the season and recent success at major tournaments, expectations were high for American players entering the 2025 French Open. However, few could have predicted the exceptional results achieved by the top U.S. competitors in Paris.
On Saturday, following the thrilling three-set victory by 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys over fellow American Sofia Kenin, eight Americans officially secured their spots in the second week at Roland Garros. This represents the largest number of American players reaching the Round of 16 in 40 years.
With five women and three men remaining in the singles draws, this is particularly significant for the men`s contingent, as it`s the first time since 1995 – before any of the current male players were born – that so many have reached this stage. The players themselves are well aware of the historical importance of their performance this week.
“I think that all the Americans are really excited,” Ben Shelton commented on Friday after advancing. “We all always know that this is a tournament that historically we don’t do well in, a surface we historically struggle on. It would mean a lot… how much respect you would gain for doing well here.” Frances Tiafoe, who also won on Friday, added, “Guys are just hungry, man. Just believe it. That’s kind of all it is.”
An American hasn`t won the French Open singles title since Serena Williams in 2015, and the last male champion was Andre Agassi in 1999. The question remains whether one of these players can make history next weekend in Paris. Below are the Americans who have advanced, along with their paths to this point.
No. 2 Coco Gauff
Players defeated so far: Olivia Gadecki, Tereza Valentova, Marie Bouzkova
Next opponent: No. 20 Ekaterina Alexandrova
Perhaps only Carlos Alcaraz had more momentum entering this year`s French Open than Gauff. The 21-year-old reached the finals in Madrid and Rome, securing notable wins against Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva (twice), and Zheng Qinwen, showcasing what appeared to be her best tennis on clay to date. Considered a pre-tournament favorite for the title, Gauff has demonstrated why through her first three matches in Paris.
Gauff, who was a finalist at Roland Garros in 2022, advanced comfortably in her first two rounds and seemed set for another straightforward win in her third-round match against Bouzkova. However, Bouzkova elevated her game in the second set, challenging Gauff. Despite moments of vulnerability, Gauff prevented an upset, displaying relentless court coverage and hitting 22 winners. After trailing 5-3 in the second set, she fought back to force a tiebreak, avoiding a third set. Gauff won 6-1, 7-6 (3), boosting her confidence for the next round.
“I think, just for long-term-wise, and obviously mentally, it’s a lot better to finish that in two sets,” Gauff stated after the match. “Yeah, it gives me a little more confidence in finding ways to win maybe when playing opponents like that and try not to kind of self-destruct.”
On Monday, Gauff will face Alexandrova, against whom she holds a 3-1 head-to-head record. If she wins, she will advance to face the winner of the all-American match between Keys and Hailey Baptiste, with a potential return to the French Open semifinals for the second consecutive year on the line.
No. 3 Jessica Pegula
Players defeated so far: Anca Todoni, Ann Li, Marketa Vondrousova
Next opponent: Lois Boisson
After missing the entire 2024 European clay season due to injury, Pegula showed no signs of rust by winning the title on green clay in Charleston in April. Although her subsequent four events weren`t as successful, everything seems to be clicking for Pegula in Paris. The 31-year-old, who reached her first major final last season at the US Open, didn`t drop a set in her initial two rounds. In her third-round match against Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion and a 2019 French Open finalist, Pegula dug deep for a comeback victory. After failing to secure a single break point in the first set, Pegula broke Vondrousova three times consecutively in the second set and largely controlled the match thereafter.
Pegula now faces a favorable matchup in the fourth round on Monday against Lois Boisson, the surprise French wild card ranked No. 361 who is making her major main draw debut. Pegula mentioned to reporters on Saturday that she had never played a French player at Roland Garros but was looking forward to it.
“Obviously [she is] going to have some crazy support,” Pegula said. “I’m pretty good at kind of zoning out. I have played in some pretty rowdy crowds. I think it will be fun. It will be cool to be a part of that. Even though they’re not for me, it will still be fun. They’re going to be going crazy.”
A victory over Boisson would send Pegula to her second French Open quarterfinal, the first since 2022. This would be her seventh career major quarterfinal appearance and provide a chance to reach her second Grand Slam semifinal.
No. 7 Madison Keys
Players defeated so far: Daria Saville, Katie Boulter, No. 31 Sofia Kenin
Next opponent: Hailey Baptiste
It has been a dominant and revitalized year for the 30-year-old Keys. After accepting the possibility of never winning a major, Keys delivered an impressive series of wins in Melbourne to claim the Australian Open title in January. Since this long-awaited triumph, Keys has returned to the top 10 and reached the semifinals at Indian Wells and the quarterfinals in Madrid.
Now, at the French Open, she has reached the fourth round for the first time since 2022. She saved three match points in her intense battle with Kenin, a fellow Australian Open champion and the 2020 French Open runner-up, securing a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory.
Only Hailey Baptiste stands between Keys and her first quarterfinal at Roland Garros since 2019. Keys won their only previous clay-court meeting decisively in Charleston in 2023 (6-1, 6-2) and certainly has the experience advantage.
However, Keys did not seem to underestimate the matchup when speaking to the media shortly after defeating Kenin, expressing pride in Baptiste`s progress. “I think Hailey is a great player,” Keys stated. “…I’m not surprised. I have seen her growing up. I think she’s had incredible talent the entire time. So, really happy for her to see all of the success that she’s having, kind of putting that all together and climbing up the rankings.”
“All that said, I think it’s going to be a really tough match. She’s very talented. She has a lot of tangibles, and she knows how to kind of mix up paces, but can also, all of a sudden, absolutely crack the ball. Going to be a really tough match, but looking forward to it.”
Hailey Baptiste
Players defeated so far: No. 23 Beatriz Haddad Maia, Nao Hibino, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Next opponent: No. 7 Madison Keys
While the other remaining Americans are currently top-20 players with prior major semifinal appearances, 23-year-old Baptiste is enjoying a career breakthrough in Paris. Before this French Open, Baptiste had never advanced past the second round at a Grand Slam and had only reached the main draw of a major twice in the previous three years. Yet, she has not appeared inexperienced or like an underdog at Roland Garros.
In her first-round match against Haddad Maia, she recovered after losing the opening set in front of a large, predominantly Brazilian crowd, holding her opponent to just four games combined in the final two sets. Baptiste, coached by Frances Tiafoe`s twin brother, Franklin, hasn`t dropped a set since. In addition to her best major result, Baptiste is projected to reach a career-high ranking of No. 58 following her win on Saturday, regardless of the next outcome.
While facing Keys will be challenging, Baptiste knows she is capable of winning. Baptiste earned the first WTA win of her career as a wild card at the Washington Open in 2019 against Keys (7-6 (4), 6-2). Although Baptiste lost their other two encounters, she believes the initial victory could benefit her on Monday.
“It was my first WTA match. I mean, I think I had a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement, and I was obviously playing somebody that I looked up to,” Baptiste recalled. “I was just loose, having fun, I was in my hometown. So I just remember enjoying the moment and playing in front of a big crowd. … That’s kind of the same thing that I’m going to do.”
No. 16 Amanda Anisimova
Players defeated so far: Nina Stojanovic, Viktorija Golubic, No. 22 Clara Tauson
Next opponent: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka
Roland Garros was the setting for Anisimova`s career breakthrough in 2019, when she reached her first – and currently only – major semifinal. Since then, the 23-year-old has experienced ups and downs both on and off the court. However, her play this season and during the first week in Paris has served as a reminder of how dangerous she can be when at her best.
Anisimova won the biggest title of her career earlier this season at the 1000-level Qatar Open, her first title of any level since 2022. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 16 in March and was projected to rise to No. 14 after her third-round victory on Friday.
Despite arriving in Paris without significant momentum on clay – having failed to win a match in Madrid or Rome – this has not shown at Roland Garros so far. Anisimova has not dropped a set and even recorded a bagel set in her second-round match.
While facing top-ranked Sabalenka will be difficult, Anisimova has history on her side. She has won five of their seven previous meetings, including their most recent match in Toronto last year. She expressed excitement about the challenge when speaking to reporters on Friday.
“It’s always special to play someone who’s ranked No. 1 in the world,” Anisimova said. “It’s not often you get to do that, so I really try and embrace the opportunity and the experience. It will be on a big court, too. I love playing on big stadiums. I’m just going to try and go in there and really enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy the crowd. And, yeah, try to put up a fight.”
No. 12 Tommy Paul
Players defeated so far: Elmer Moller, Marton Fucsovics, No. 24 Karen Khachanov
Next opponent: No. 25 Alexei Popyrin
Across his three matches at Roland Garros, Paul has played 14 sets and spent nearly 11 hours on court. His match against Khachanov, lasting four hours and seven minutes, was the third-longest of his career. While nothing has come easily for Paul, he has consistently found ways to win and has now reached the fourth round of the French Open for the first time in his career.
He has had a strong season overall, reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and breaking into the top 10 for the first time. Paul, who won the 2015 French Open junior title, has been particularly effective on clay, including a semifinal appearance at the Italian Open earlier this month. Although he ultimately fell to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, he pushed him to three sets, demonstrating his capability on the surface.
Paul, 28, now has the opportunity to reach his fourth major quarterfinal as he faces Popyrin on Sunday. The two players have met only twice before, never on clay, with the series split 1-1. Paul won their most recent encounter at the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships in 2024. Paul noted that he knew Popyrin was capable of playing “unbelievable” tennis (referencing his win over Novak Djokovic) and planned to rest and get as much sleep as possible before the match.
“I’m just excited to play,” Paul said Friday. “I mean, this is Grand Slam tennis, and this is why we play the sport, you know.”
No. 13 Ben Shelton
Players defeated so far: Lorenzo Sonego, Hugo Gaston (retired), Matteo Gigante
Next opponent: No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz
Competing in only his third French Open, Shelton began his 2025 campaign by playing the featured night match on Philippe Chatrier on the tournament`s opening day. With significant attention on him, the 22-year-old delivered a strong performance, raising his level after trailing two sets to one to win in a thrilling five-set match under the lights.
While many of his peers had to battle for their spot in the Round of 32, Shelton unexpectedly received a day off when Gaston withdrew from the tournament the day before their scheduled match. This extended rest seemed beneficial, as Shelton dominated his match on Friday against Gigante, winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Victory never appeared in doubt as he moved smoothly and confidently on the clay. He has now reached the second week at the French Open for the first time.
Shelton, who reached the final of the BMW Open in Munich in April, now faces a formidable challenge in Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, on Sunday. Shelton has not beaten Alcaraz in their two previous meetings, and the crowd will undoubtedly favor the Spaniard. However, Shelton often performs at his best in high-pressure situations.
“Playing the defending champion, round of 16, I’m guessing center court, that’s a pretty cool opportunity, pretty cool experience, that not a lot of people get or see in their lifetime,” Shelton commented. “For me, I’m definitely going to enjoy it and go out there and see what I can do, because I’m starting to gain some speed, gain a little bit of traction on this surface, and starting to see some of my best tennis. So I like to think of myself as dangerous whenever I get to that place. Yeah, really looking forward to it.”
If Shelton were to achieve an upset, it would mark his fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, and he would rise to a career-high ranking of No. 11.
No. 15 Frances Tiafoe
Players defeated so far: Roman Safiullin, Pablo Carreno Busta, No. 23 Sebastian Korda
Next opponent: Daniel Altmaier
Before this tournament, 27-year-old Tiafoe had reached the second week at every major except the French Open. He has found some success on clay, winning the U.S. Men`s Clay Court Championships in Houston in 2023 and reaching the final in the two years since. However, his record at Roland Garros was just 5-9, and he had only reached the third round once.
A single year can change everything. Despite modest results in the lead-up events, Tiafoe has been nearly unstoppable in Paris, advancing without dropping a set. Against Korda, who had won their two previous matches, Tiafoe needed a tiebreak to secure the opening set but then took control to comfortably reach the fourth round.
Among the American men, Tiafoe perhaps has the strongest chance of reaching the quarterfinals. Facing Altmaier, who upset top-ranked American Taylor Fritz in the first round, Tiafoe is certainly the favorite, holding a 2-0 record against him, including their most recent meeting on clay in Rome in 2023.
If Tiafoe advances, it would be his first major quarterfinal on a non-hard court and his first time reaching this stage outside of the U.S. since 2019. Tiafoe admitted he was enjoying the reduced pressure compared to playing in front of a home crowd. “At the [US] Open, there is so much anticipation, there’s so much energy. Here I feel like it’s like a workman-type vibe,” Tiafoe said Friday. “Still a lot of people, [at the] French Open, it’s amazing here. But there’s nothing like the Open [in New York]. The Open is a whole different kind of beast. Obviously I have expectations from y’all, being American. I have two semis, blah, blah, blah. I’ve made history. This is a different vibe. This is easier in a sense where I can kind of just go and be me.”
Marcus Bellamy