Volynets: I want to play against the best

A fine achievement, but Volynets has bigger goals in mind. She hasn’t managed a main draw win at a major since she reached the third round at the Australian Open in 2023 – also from qualifying – and she’d like to press on further in Paris this year. 

Volynets, who began working with Argentinian coach Alejandro Dulko last December, is now hoping to take her game to the next level. The former world No.74 has played 41 matches across all levels this season, winning 29 of them. 

“We are just working on things all the time in general, whether it’s hard court, grass or clay,” she said of her time spent with Dulko, the brother and longtime coach of former world No.26 (and doubles world No.1) Gisela Dulko. “I feel like it’s just a great perspective to have in my corner all the time.” 

Volynets raced out to a 5-0 lead against Selekhmeteva, but was forced to battle from that moment on as the 21-year-old reeled her in and turned the contest into a physical battle. 

“It was very difficult today,” Volynets said. “I was really happy that I was able to stick to the game plan that my coach and I devised together, just to enjoy court 14, because it’s a bigger court than the other two courts I’ve played on. I feel like I was playing well.” 

Volynets will play the main draw for the third time in Paris – she reached the second round in 2022, but hopes that her comfort on the clay will help her continue to rise. . 

“I just feel more comfortable hitting each shot and moving on the clay, I enjoy the variety of all the surfaces in tennis – I think that’s what makes tennis really cool,” she said. 

Learning from Sabalenka loss 

Volynets had a formative experience earlier this month on the clay, facing world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka in the second round in Rome. The American had a set and a break lead against the two-time major champion before falling in three sets. 

Having never faced a top-2 player before, she embraced the experience despite the loss. 

“I think it was really good for me,” she said. “Having big goals, I want to play against the best in the world, so to get this opportunity when I’m 22, it was really great thing for me to see what I need to do to improve, to see what works against players ranked that high as well – it was a really nice opportunity for me.” 

Zidansek: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger 

2021 semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek is back in the main draw. 

The 26-year-old Slovenian, now coached by former ATP pro Blaz Kavcic, defeated American Hailey Baptiste, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3, to reach the main draw in Paris for the sixth time. 

Three years ago, then ranked No.85, Zidansek went on a dream run to the final four on the Parisian clay. She reached as high as 22 in the WTA rankings in 2022, but has since fallen out of the top 100. 

“I’m going to remember my years in Roland-Garros for the rest of my life as something special,” the world No.131 told Rolandgarros.com after her win. “Getting through qualies is not easy these days, you can’t take it for granted. Hopefully now I can recover and take my experience from last year, playing the first round and losing, and play better.” 

Zidansek is in a good place with her game after a rough run with injuries and illness. She hopes to make the most of the wisdom she gained from her star turn in 2021, and the rough patches that have come after. 

“Like they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot. I’ve been fighting, I’ve been struggling, but my life is good outside the court. Obviously it’s sweeter if results are going your way, but I love the sport and I love the challenges that it brings me – it helps me grow as a person."