Caty McNally achieves career first at 2026 French Open

24-year-old American tennis player Caty McNally had never won a main draw singles match at the French Open until May 24, 2026.

Sidelined by injuries in recent years, McNally faced Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round. In the blistering heat and slippery red clay, McNally, who never lost to Tomljanovic in two previous meetings fell behind a set and a break.

Gaining her confidence and finding her way with a Superman-like wardrobe change between the second and third set, McNally got over the finish line in over 2 1/2 hours.

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McNally faces Belinda Bencic in second round

McNally is one of 19 American women in the 2026 Roland Garros main draw. That is the most in over twenty years. She is the first American to advance to the second round.

The path becomes harder with Belinda Bencic as her next opponent.

McNally is also playing doubles with Australian Storm Hunter.

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French Open Day 1 storylines

Day 1 is beginning with unusual and oppressive heat, near 80 degrees. It is also very sunny which poses a glare problem for players serving and playing in the wide open outer courts.

In addition to Bencic, a potential French Open contender, Marta Kostyuk, the Madrid Open champion, won her first round match. She broke down after the match confessing that her parents narrowly missed a missile attack in Ukraine today.

Another American in action today with an intriguing first round match is Hailey Baptiste who faces 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova.

Watch Roland Garros matches on TNT Sports, the US broadcaster for the French Open. Tennis Channel has some outer court live match coverage.