Zhang Shuai of China hits a shot in the women's singles first round against Ann Li of the US in the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 26, 2026. (Photos: VCG)
Two Chinese players, Zhang Shuai and Zhang Zhizhen, suffered first-round defeats at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
Veteran Zhang Shuai fell to American Ann Li 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and four minutes, extending her difficult run in Grand Slam women's singles games after a fourth consecutive first-round exit dating back to last year's Wimbledon Championships.
The 37-year-old had also lost all three of her previous meetings against Li. Despite the defeat, Zhang will continue her French Open journey in doubles competition, partnering Elise Mertens in women's doubles and Tim Putz in mixed doubles.
Zhang Zhizhen of China hits a shot in the men's singles first round against Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina at the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 26, 2026.
In the men's draw, Argentine qualifier Facundo Diaz Acosta defeated Zhang Zhizhen 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to secure his first-ever main draw victory at Roland Garros and earn only the third Grand Slam match win of his career.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner continued his dominant form with a commanding straight-sets victory over French wildcard Clement Tabur in the night session.
Sinner in typical lethal form routed the world No. 171 by a score of 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 to extend his winning streak to 30 matches as he pursues the only Grand Slam title missing from his collection.
Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a shot in the men's singles first round against Clement Tabur of France in the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 26, 2026.
The Italian star, who lost an epic five-set final to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris last year, arrived at Roland Garros fresh off another Italian Open title and has now won five consecutive tournaments.
"I'm very happy to be back here," Sinner said. "Great memories overall."
Off the court, Sinner revealed he had spent time building a miniature Eiffel Tower out of Lego blocks with his brother during a short break at home in northern Italy before returning to Paris.
The only concern for the top seed came late in the third set when he called for a trainer to treat an apparent blister on his right foot after missing three match points on Tabur's serve. Sinner, however, quickly closed out the match in the next game.
Daniil Medvedev of Russia hits a shot in the men's singles first round against Adam Walton of Australia at the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 26, 2026.
Two major upsets were produced in the singles draws on the same day.
Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev suffered yet another early exit in Paris after falling to Australian wildcard Adam Walton in five sets 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. The Russian recorded his seventh first-round defeat in 10 French Open appearances.
Walton claimed the first top-10 victory of his career and advanced to the second round at Roland Garros for the second time.
Jessica Pegula of the US hits a shot in the women's singles first round against Kimberly Birrell of Australia at the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 26, 2026.
In the women's singles draw, fifth seed Jessica Pegula was stunned by Australia's Kimberly Birrell, who rallied from a set down to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Pegula, a semifinalist at both the 2025 US Open and the 2026 Australian Open, became one of the highest-profile casualties of the tournament's opening rounds.