Francesca Jones, the world number 102, has become the latest British player to exit Roland Garros.
Marie Bouzkova, the 27th seed in Paris, proved too strong for the Briton, winning 6-0, 7-6 on Court 13.
Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley and Emma Raducanu, three more British players, exited their respective events earlier this week.
Where does Cameron Norrie rank among the best British players in tennis history?
Cameron Norrie’s career titles
- Los Cabos Open
- Indian Wells Open
- Delray Beach Open
- Lyon Open
- Rio Open
Norrie was forced to retire midway through his first-round match due to injury, while Fearnley and Raducanu were defeated by Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Solana Sierra, respectively.
Following Jones’ loss, Katie Boulter is the sole British representative across the men’s and women’s singles events.
British tennis players have struggled at Roland Garros
It has simply been an underwhelming Roland Garros campaign for British tennis players.
It must be noted that there have most certainly been mitigating circumstances when it comes to the performance of British stars in the French capital.
Cameron Norrie suffered an injury, Emma Raducanu was playing only her second match following long-term illness, and former world number four Jack Draper has been unable to compete in the event after suffering a knee injury last month.
With that being said, it has been a poor overall showing from British players at this year’s event.
For starters, only six players qualified for the main draw of the men’s and women’s singles events.
Spain, for example, had 14 players qualify for the men’s and women’s singles events.
British players’ performances at Roland Garros
- Cameron Norrie: retired midway through his first-round match due to injury
- Jacob Fearnley: lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round
- Emma Raducanu: lost to Solana Sierra in the first round
- Francesca Jones: defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia. Then lost to Marie Bouzkova
- Toby Samuel: lost to Alex de Minaur in the first round of the main draw after winning three qualifying matches
- Katie Boulter: plays Anastasia Potapova in the second round
There is a large discrepancy there – one which cannot be ignored.
When analysing the performances of British players at the French Open, one must conclude that Toby Samuel – the world number 159 – has been the most impressive figure.
Samuel won three qualifying matches to qualify for his first Grand Slam main draw, defeating former ATP Finals finalist David Goffin en route.
Samuel was also the only British player to come through qualifying unscathed.
Francesca Jones has also impressed, winning her first Grand Slam main draw match.
Katie Boulter, the lone British representative remaining in the singles draws, has also demonstrated good form so far. She will hope to continue her French Open journey when she plays 28th seed Anastasia Potapova on Thursday.
If Katie Boulter wins… who could she face in the third round?
Katie Boulter will play Anastasia Potapova for the first time on Thursday.
Potapova, of Austria, has demonstrated impressive form throughout the clay-court season.
The Austrian enjoyed particular success in Madrid, defeating Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina on her way to the semi-finals.
There, she lost to eventual champion Marta Kostyuk.
If Boulter is able to advance past Potapova, she will play Coco Gauff or Mayar Sherif in the third round.
Boulter has a 1-2 record against Gauff, losing her last match against the American at the 2024 China Open.
Boulter has never played Mayar Sherif on the WTA Tour.
