Roland Garros Day 3: Medvedev, Pegula Upset as Sabalenka and Sinner Advance in Paris

Aussie Birrell and Walton lead upsets at Roland Garros

Walton and Birrell delivered the shocks of the day. Sinner stayed unbeaten in 30 matches and Osaka added flair with a win on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Walton beat Medvedev in five sets while Birrell toppled Pegula. Sabalenka, Osaka, and Sinner cruised through on Tuesday in Paris...

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the second round with a polished win, and Naomi Osaka added some runway style to Roland Garros. It was a tougher day for sixth seed Daniil Medvedev, who struggled in the Paris heat on Tuesday.

Medvedev has often looked out of sorts on the clay in Paris. The Russian lost 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 to Australian wildcard Adam Walton. It marks his seventh first-round exit in 10 appearances at the French Open.

Walton said coming from Queensland and being used to extreme heat helped him get the win.

“I don't want to find excuses,” he said.

“I know why I don't really play my best at Roland Garros, but if I say it, it's excuses. So I'll keep it to myself.

“Maybe I should consider playing a tournament before (it), ‌which I usually don't do before Grand Slams, but when it doesn't work, why not? That's the only thing I'll consider next year.”

Daniil Medvedev says his tennis depends on a couple of things that are out of his control, ‘If the ball doesn’t go, I don’t have the power to make it go. Like, Jannik, it doesn’t matter. The ball doesn’t go, he hits it full power’

“You mentioned there about conditions effecting… pic.twitter.com/k7mkwuy9x2

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 26, 2026

Walton said being from Queensland and handling extreme heat helped him come through the match.

“I grew up in the heat. I've always preferred when the court gives my shots extra, which is what the heat does,” he added.

“I seem to be able to last. I'm not saying I last better than him, but I last better than probably the field in the heat.

“Just given the way I play, that's one aspect that is huge for me, because I'm not the most talented player out there.”

Walton wasn’t the only Australian to move on. Alex de Minaur also reached the next round after Belgian Alexander Blockx retired with a right ankle sprain. In another match, Alexandre Muller stopped playing while trailing Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 3-0.

Cameron Norrie retired from a major for the first time in his career. A rib injury forced him to stop after he fell 7-6(7), 2-0.

American Learner Tien handed out two bagels on his way to a 6-0, 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 win over Cristian Garin. Compatriots Zachary Svajda, Emma Navarro, Iva Jovic, Claire Liu, and Ann Li all advanced without much trouble.

A day after Gael Monfils played his final French Open, Parisian fans saw a glimpse of the future. Teenager Moise Kouame beat 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-1.

The win made the 17-year-old wildcard the youngest man to win a Grand Slam main draw match in 17 years.

“It's a lot of emotion, it's exceptional,” Kouame said.

“Coming into this tournament, I didn't know what to expect.

“The ⁠team and I worked hard to be as ready as possible.”

American fifth seed Jessica Pegula suffered the biggest upset in the women’s draw. She lost 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Australia’s Kimberly Birrell.

Defending champion Coco Gauff shook off a slow start to beat Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0. Several other Americans also advanced despite a heat wave in Paris that made things tough for both players and fans.

Jannik Sinner started his bid for a first French Open title with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 win over Frenchman Clement Tabur. The evening match on Court Philippe Chatrier moved him one step closer to completing the career Grand Slam.

The Italian played an almost flawless match. His only slip came when he gave Tabur a brief opening in the third set. The 24-year-old stayed in control throughout and secured his 30th win in a row.

Sabalenka took the court in a black and red mesh outfit with a diamond necklace. She beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2, and brushed off questions about her look, saying she felt completely comfortable.

“I like to challenge myself,” the Belarusian told reporters.

“But at the same time, the dress is super light ... I don't feel the dress on me. I was thinking it's going to be super hot wearing black, but it doesn't feel ‌like black colour on me, I feel really comfortable.

“And the diamonds, I don't ⁠really feel the heaviness of it, but I can imagine how it ‌looks from the outside ... for me, it's important to look good. If I feel good looks-wise, I perform better and I feel great.”

Sabalenka set the tone early, but Osaka brought her own Parisian flair. She walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a sequined blouse with a black mesh floor-length train, then changed into a layered yellow, brown, and gold match dress.

Osaka’s tennis matched the outfit. The 16th seed beat tricky German Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6(3), and later hinted at what inspired the look.

“I feel like ... you know the Eiffel Tower at night when it's sparkly? I think I look like that a ⁠bit,” Osaka said.