Ukrainian tennis player Julia Starodubtseva has impressed by advancing to the second round of Roland Garros 2025. She overcame German athlete Tamara Korbach.
Julia entered the main draw as a lucky loser after losing in the final of the qualifying round. However, she was given a second chance due to the withdrawal of Romanian player Sorana Cirstea.
In the first round, Starodubtseva faced off against Tamara Korbach, who successfully navigated three qualifying rounds. This was their second encounter: last year, Julia defeated the German in a three-set match.
How did the Starodubtseva vs. Korbach match unfold?
- Julia lost the first set to Korbach with a score of 2:6. The sixth game was pivotal as the German player made the first break of the match. In the eighth game, Korbach converted her first set point on Julia's serve.
- In the first set, Starodubtseva made twice as many unforced errors as Korbach (16 to 8). The advantage in winners also lay with the German player (8 to 5).
- However, the second set concluded with a victory for the Ukrainian — 6:1. Julia executed four breaks and converted a set point in the seventh game on her second attempt.
- Unlike the first set, Julia made fewer unforced errors in the second set (13 to 19) and dominated in winners (12 to 3).
- Ultimately, Starodubtseva defeated Korbach, breaking in the decisive 10th game and winning 6:4.
- The match lasted 2 hours and 11 minutes. Despite her victory, Julia had a higher number of unforced errors (36 to 32), but she also had more winners (19 to 12).
WTA. Roland Garros 2025, First Round
Tamara Korbach (Germany, Q) — Julia Starodubtseva (Ukraine, LL) 1:2 (6:2, 1:6, 4:6)
What does Julia Starodubtseva's victory mean?
- She has reached the second round of Roland Garros for the first time in her career. Julia made her debut at the French Open in 2024.
- She has matched her personal best performance in Grand Slams, having reached the second round at Wimbledon in 2024.
- Julia is the third Ukrainian tennis player to pass the first round of Roland Garros 2025, joining Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska.