🎾 Emma Raducanu vs. Wang Xinyu – French Open R1

WTA French Open

🎾 Emma Raducanu vs. Wang Xinyu – French Open R1 Preview

🧠 Form & Context

Emma Raducanu
📉 Rocky start to 2025: Lost 4 of her first 6 matches of the year.
📈 Recent momentum: Since March, she’s found rhythm—QF in Miami, R4 in Rome, and 9 wins in last 12 matches.
⛔ Missed clay chances: Let slip a potential QF in Strasbourg (loss to Collins), but showed improved movement and variety on the surface.
🇫🇷 Roland-Garros history: Just her second main draw appearance, following a R2 exit in 2022.
Wang Xinyu
📉 Confidence issues: A concerning 10 first-round losses in last 14 tournaments.
🎾 Only sparks: QF at 125K Parma and R2 in Strasbourg recently, but nothing to suggest a deep Slam run is coming.
📉 Stagnant progress: Just 2 QF+ results on tour in the last 16 months.
🌱 Past Paris form: R3 here last year was one of her best Slam showings, though that feels distant now.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Emma Raducanu is trending upward and finally playing consistent tennis, which gives her the clear edge. Her baseline aggression, improved clay footwork, and mentally tougher presence make her a threat again, especially when facing struggling players like Wang. The Chinese player has proven dangerous when in rhythm, but her current level is simply not sustainable against rising opposition. The fact she’s 1–10 in Slam main-draw matches since Wimbledon 2023 and has little recent success outside minor events speaks volumes.

🔮 Prediction

Emma Raducanu is not yet a clay expert, but she has the form and confidence to handle this test. If she keeps the unforced errors in check and serves well, this match shouldn’t go the distance. 🧩 Prediction: Raducanu in 2 sets, with a possible tight opener before pulling away.