Clara Tauson edges past Polish challenger to reach Roland Garros second round

Clara Tauson secured her place in the second round of the French Open 2025 after a gritty three-set win over Poland’s Magda Linette, the highest-ranked unseeded player in the women’s draw.

The 22nd seed from Denmark edged past Linette with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory in a match that lasted just over two hours on the red clay of Roland Garros.

Tauson appeared on course for a straight-sets win after building a 4-2 lead in the second set, but Linette responded with a flurry of confident shot-making to force a decider. The Polish player, known for her gritty baseline game, briefly shifted momentum before Tauson reasserted control in the third set.

“She [Linette] really pushed me to find another level,” Tauson said post-match. “I knew I had to stay aggressive and trust my shots.”

With a dominant third-set performance, Tauson raced to a 4-0 lead, breaking Linette’s serve twice while dictating play from the baseline. Her final break sealed the match at 6-1.

While Tauson showed flashes of brilliance, her performance was inconsistent. She notched a high count of unforced errors, balanced by moments of aggression and strong forehand winners. The first set saw her struggle with rhythm until a key break at 5-4 helped her close it out.

Despite the mid-match wobble, Tauson’s ability to reset mentally and close out the match decisively shows promise for her campaign in Paris.

Next Up: Arantxa Rus Clash on Wednesday

Tauson now prepares to face Dutch world No. 94 Arantxa Rus, who upset Colombia’s Camila Osorio in the opening round. Rus, known for her left-handed play and clay-court tenacity, will pose a different kind of test for the Dane.

Head-to-head: This will be the first career meeting between Clara Tauson and Arantxa Rus on the WTA Tour.