French Open: “One with asterisks”: Eva Lys in Paris in round two

Inspired by her role as a German number one, Eva Lys stormed into the second round at the French Open. Against the number 28 Peyton Stearns from the USA, the 23 -year -old Hamburg woman in Paris showed an almost flawless performance and mastered the opening hurdle for the first time in the Stade Roland Garros.

“I’m very happy about my performance. I finally played Eva tennis for two sentences,” said number 59 in the world. “The fact that I can be the German number one is a great honor for me. I think that inspires me,” said Lys, born in Kiev, who is now dealing with the Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko.

In changeable weather, Lys triumphed dominant right from the start. Lys determined the action and put the favorite American under pressure. Stearns had recently convinced with the semi-finals in Rome, but found no means against Lys. “That was a one with asterisks,” said Eurosport expert Barbara Rittner about Germany’s best player.

Lys himself attributed her strong performance to the fact that she finally stayed healthy over a longer time. The German hope wearer is ill with the rheumatic autoimmune disease spondyloarthritis and therefore had to take a break in the past.

“I got the diagnosis in 2020 and I think in 2025 is the first year where I really have it under control. Three tournaments and I have already played more this year than in the whole year,” said Lys, who has also made a big leap forward this year.

At the beginning of the year, Lys had caused a sensation at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year. At the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, she was actually eliminated in qualification, but came into the main field as a so-called Lucky Loserin and took her chance. In Paris she is in her career for the first time in the main field and thus avoided the exhausting path through the qualification.

That was clearly noticeable against Stearns. Lys started furiously and got the first eight games in a row. Then the American increased, the game threatened to tip over. But Lys remained steadfast, survived some critical phases and converted their fourth match ball after 1:18 hours.

Laura, on the other hand, is eliminated in Paris. The 37-year-old had to give up the Hungarian Anna Bondar 6: 7 (2: 7), 3: 6. The Schwäbin left many opportunities unused, especially in the first set. Although victory and the end of victory, the avoidable defeat could not turn away.

No effort had the world ranking aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, who exhausted the Russian Kamilla Rachimowa 6: 1, 6-0. The Ukrainian Jelina Switolina also had an easy game at 6: 1, 6: 1 against Zeynep Sönmez from Turkey.