With Balaji's win, three Indians have now made the round of 32 in the men's doubles at the Roland-Garros.
Sabalenka, who has never reached the final at Roland Garros, believes she is now better equipped both physically and mentally to challenge on clay, a surface she concedes took her years to master.
As for conditions, she dismissed concerns about the unpredictable spring weather in Paris.
The French Open is elevating its total purse at Roland Garros to about $63.7 million, an increase of 5.21 percent compared to last year.
As the 2025 French Open looms, all eyes may be on reigning champions and top seeds - but lurking just beneath the surface are several players quietly building momentum, ready to crash the party in Paris. From seasoned champions finding renewed form to rising stars with something to prove, here are four dark horses who could shake up the women's singles draw at Roland Garros.
The Serbian's determined performance ensured he became only the second man to win a century of matches at the Parisian Grand Slam
On the anniversary of the day he first walked on to the Roland Garros court 20 years ago, Rafael Nadal returned as a hero to be celebrated by a crowd that has always embraced him as one of their own.
Jannik Sinner's dazzling winning streak ground to a halt ahead of the French Open but the world number one's top-notch return from a three-month doping ban suggests he will be the main challenger to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris.
Paris St Germain forward Ousmane Dembele got a roaring welcome usually reserved for tennis champions when he carried the freshly-won Champions League trophy onto centre court on Monday.
Carlos Alcaraz heads to Paris for his French Open title defence having laid down a marker with his victory over world number one Jannik Sinner in Rome
Rafael Nadal made a triumphant return to Roland Garros on Sunday
Get ready to be wowed by the fashion on (and off) the courts at Roland Garros!
World number one Carlos Alcaraz arrives in Melbourne with only one mission in mind -- claim a first Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.
Iga Swiatek heads into Melbourne Park with the Australian Open title the only gap on her Grand Slam resume, but the world number two is keen to avoid setting herself targets for the new season and says her main goal is to improve her game.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been named WTA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after spending the entire year at the top of the rankings.
Stanislas Wawrinka will hang up his racquet at the end of 2026, the three-times Grand Slam champion announced on Friday, bringing down the curtain on a 24-year professional career that saw him gatecrash tennis's elite during the sport's golden era.
Nagal should apply for visa with required materials: Chinese Foreign Ministry
Jannik Sinner battled past Spanish world number one and rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4), 7-5 in the decider to win the season-ending championships.
He was scheduled to travel to Chengdu to compete in the Australian Open Playoff event, which will give the regional players a main-draw entry into the 2026 Australian Open.
While off-court battles over pay and governance rumbled on, opportunities were scarce beyond the duopoly at the top of the men's game, leaving Djokovic to provide the year's standout moments for the chasing pack.
Aryna Sabalenka exemplified consistency in 2025 and arrives for the November 1-8 tournament having retained her US Open title in September, after finishing runner-up to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at Roland Garros.
Nadal had said last week that daily training was a challenge and he would take a doctor with him to Paris
'It'll also be difficult for him, tennis requires that competitive rhythm, but Rafa is Rafa, even if he arrives without many matches, he'll surely show a spectacular level.'
Nadal took to X on Monday and expressed his gratitude to his long-time rivals for their presence at the tribute.
Barbora Krejcikova harnessed her experience to knock promising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko out of the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz is only the second man since tennis turned professional in 1968 to win all of his first five Grand Slam singles finals after Swiss great Roger Federer.
Aryna Sabalenka returns to the US Open as the reigning champion and bookmakers' favourite, but her 2025 season has been anything but smooth sailing.
Named after France's second-most decorated female player, the brand new 5,000 seat Court Simonne Mathieu nestles amongst the area's graceful 19-century greenhouses.
The French Open could stay at Roland Garros instead of moving to the Paris suburbs after plans to extend the grand slam venue took a step forward, the French tennis federation president said on Thursday.
Novak Djokovic felt unaffected by his recent losses to the top two players in the world, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, saying that while it is not ideal to lose big matches to the top talent regularly
'I just don't want to face that hate again.'
'A very special day for me with the unveiling of this statue @rolandgarros #muchasgracias #merci,' Rafa posted alonside a picture of the statue.
Aryna Sabalenka is the first woman to win back to back US Open singles titles since Serena Williams in 2014.
Iga Swiatek, who beat American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon final on Saturday to win her sixth Grand Slam title.
Gauff seeks to eliminate service errors ahead of French Open tilt
'Novak is playing here, so it's easier. But Andy and Roger coming meant a lot to me because they represent a very important part of my tennis career.'
Boisson goes from crowdfunding to bumper pay day in Paris
Lois Boisson is daring to dream of an improbable triumph after she stormed into the French Open semi-finals
Playing better and with solid purpose this clay court season, Rafael Nadal is looking to win his 19th title at Roland Garros, says Desh Chopra Gaurav Sekhri, and will ask some difficult questions of anyone he is pitted against.
Djokovic still undecided on next year's French Open after semi-final exit.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances