The hopes of French fans have been dashed in the WTA 125 tournament in Manila, as Léolia Jeanjean’s tough draw led to her early exit. The only French representative in the tournament, Jeanjean faced the formidable Tatjana Maria, the top seed and WTA No. 42, in a challenging first-round matchup.
This encounter was particularly notable as both players are in their thirties, with Maria seeking to turn her season around after a rocky start, including three losses in her first four matches. The German, who had previously fallen in the opening round of the Australian Open, was determined to bounce back on Philippine soil.
Jeanjean entered the match without a win this season, having been defeated in her previous matches against Belinda Bencic, Jasmine Paolini, and Maria Sakkari. The match marked their fourth meeting, and once again, Maria emerged victorious.
In a grueling contest, Maria edged out Jeanjean, winning the first set in a tense tiebreak that lasted 1 hour and 13 minutes. Despite both players displaying resilience, it was Maria who ultimately secured the win with a score of 7-6, 6-4 after 2 hours and 23 minutes of play. This victory propels her into the round of 16, where she is set to clash with Tatiana Prozorova, ranked No. 174.
With Jeanjean’s defeat, the tournament now sees no French players remaining, leaving the event open for competitors such as Alexandra Eala, Donna Vekic, Camila Osorio, Lulu Sun, and Yuliia Starodubtseva. This tournament is especially significant as it marks the first time it is being held in the Philippines, promising an exciting atmosphere and a showcase of emerging tennis talent.