French Open: Today’s First Round Picks (May 26)

The second Grand Slam of the tennis season got underway on May 25, 2025, at Roland Garros, and the high-quality action continues on day two of the Slam in France today. There are interesting first-round matches taking place in both the men’s and women’s draws, and you can find our French Open picks for May 26, 2025, here.

Naomi Osaka vs. Paula Badosa

A first meeting between Naomi Osaka and Paula Badosa headlines the women’s action on day two of the French Open. Osaka enjoyed a fine run to the round of 16 on the clay at the Italian Open, beating Badosa in a walkover after the Spanish star wasn’t deemed fit enough to play.

Those fitness issues will once again be a concern today, and there could be value in siding with a win for the Japanese star. 

Taylor Townsend vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto

American star Taylor Townsend dropped just two sets on her way to the main round proper at the French Open this year. However, the 29-year-old has failed to progress further than the first round at the Grand Slam since reaching the second round in 2018.

Therefore, Italian player Elisabetta Cocciaretto could be an eye-catching selection. She reached the fourth round at the French Open last year, and boasts a win rate of 63% on the clay surface at Roland Garros.

Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Holger Rune

A heavyweight showdown in the men’s draw is set for Monday, as Holger Rune takes on Roberto Bautista Agut. The Spanish star has a 62% win rate at Roland Garros, but he suffered a first-round elimination in the Grand Slam at the French Open last year.

In fact, he has suffered first-round knockouts in three of his last five major appearances. The clay surface doesn’t necessarily bring out the best in Rune, but he has reached the quarterfinals in two of the last three editions of the French Open. 

Christopher O’Connell vs. Ugo Humbert

Australian Christopher O’Connell will be aiming to upset the odds against hometown hero Ugo Humbert on day two at the French Open. However, O’Connell is yet to win a match at the French Open in the main draw. In fact, he has been eliminated in the first round in three of the last four years.

Humbert will need to bounce back after a walkover in the round of 64 at the Italian Open, but the Frenchman should have the upper hand in front of a passionate home support after reaching at least the second round in all but one of his last five appearances in Grand Slams.  

Today’s French Open Picks