The 2025 French Open advances to round three, featuring a match between the eighth seed Qinwen Zheng and Victoria Mboko on court Suzanne-Lenglen. The winner will progress to the round of 16 to face either Dayana Yastremska or Liudmila Samsonova.
Both players have demonstrated impressive performances in their opening matches. Zheng won convincingly in straight sets against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Emiliana Arango, while Mboko, entering the tournament following three qualifying rounds, also secured straightforward victories over Lulu Sun and Eva Lys.
Zheng, who has a record of 13 wins and 8 losses this year, has gained momentum recently, securing quarter-final spots in both Miami and Charleston. Notably, she reached the semi-finals at the Italian Open, where she triumphed over world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka. With an impressive 70.4% service game success rate and nearly 40% return game victories this season, Zheng is poised for a strong showing.
On the other hand, the 18-year-old Mboko is emerging as a promising player, having won five ITF titles this year. This tournament marks her Grand Slam debut, a significant milestone for the young athlete.
Neither player has faced each other previously, adding an element of anticipation to their upcoming match. Zheng’s extensive experience on the circuit, including an Olympic Gold medal from the 2024 Paris Games and a career highest ranking of world number 5, positions her as the favorite in this encounter.
While bookmakers favor Zheng to win in straight sets due to her current form and experience, Mboko’s journey to this point is noteworthy, showcasing her potential as a rising star in women’s tennis.
This match presents an exciting opportunity for both players, with Zheng looking to maintain her status as a formidable competitor and Mboko aiming to prove herself on one of the sport’s largest stages.