Raphael Collignon advanced to the second round of the French Open with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(4) victory over Aleksandar Vukic on May 25, 2026. Despite minimal clay court experience entering the tournament, the Belgian controlled proceedings from the baseline, winning 77% of first serve points and converting 6 of 10 break point opportunities.
Collignon seized early momentum with breaks in both opening sets, racing to a two-set lead in under 90 minutes. Vukic elevated his game in the third set, forcing the tiebreak, but the Australian’s 44 unforced errors — 16 more than his opponent — proved costly throughout. Collignon’s 10 aces complemented disciplined baseline play, while Vukic managed just 3 aces against 6 double faults.
The match concluded with Collignon closing out the tiebreak 7-4, sealing his third career Grand Slam match win. He’ll face the winner of the next first-round contest as he seeks his deepest Roland Garros run.
Key Takeaways
- Collignon’s serve was devastatingly effective, hitting 10 aces and winning 77% of first serve points — the foundation of his straight-sets victory despite entering with just a 0-1 clay court record.
- The error differential defined the match: Vukic committed 44 unforced errors compared to Collignon’s 28, neutralizing the Australian’s slight edge in winners (30 to 29).
- Break point conversion separated the two players. Collignon capitalized on 60% of his chances (6 of 10), while Vukic managed just 37.5% (3 of 8), failing to sustain pressure in crucial service games.
- Collignon won 23 more total points (111 to 88), a dominant margin that underscored his control throughout the two-hour contest.
Player Analysis
Raphael Collignon
The Belgian’s clay court inexperience proved irrelevant as he translated his hard court skills to the terre battue with impressive efficiency. His serve fired on all cylinders — 10 aces at a 61% first serve percentage, winning more than three-quarters of those points. Perhaps more telling was his discipline: just 28 unforced errors across three sets suggested smart shot selection and patience from the baseline, virtues essential on clay.
Collignon’s break point conversion (60%) demonstrated tactical sharpness in the big moments. Coming off a loss to Casper Ruud at Geneva, he appeared determined to erase recent disappointments, controlling tempo and dictating rallies with measured aggression. If he maintains this serving standard, he’ll pose problems for higher-ranked opponents in the next round.
Aleksandar Vukic
Vukic’s performance reflected his recent struggles — this marked his ninth loss in the last 11 matches. Despite matching Collignon’s winner count (30), the Australian’s 44 unforced errors sabotaged any chance of an upset. His first serve landed at just 46%, well below his clay court average of 60%, forcing him to defend repeatedly from compromised positions.
The third set offered glimpses of resistance, pushing Collignon to a tiebreak, but Vukic couldn’t sustain the level. Three aces across three sets underscored his inability to impose himself on serve, while converting just 3 of 8 break points meant he squandered scarce opportunities against a player making his clay court debut at this level. Another early Grand Slam exit continues a disappointing pattern for the 30-year-old.
Match Statistics
| Raphael Collignon | Stat | Aleksandar Vukic |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Aces | 3 |
| 5 | Double Faults | 6 |
| 61% | 1st Serve % | 46% |
| 77% | 1st Serve Points Won | 63% |
| 49% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 46% |
| 6/10 | Break Points Won | 3/8 |
| 29 | Winners | 30 |
| 28 | Unforced Errors | 44 |
| 111 | Total Points Won | 88 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Raphael Collignon vs Aleksandar Vukic at the French Open 2026?
Raphael Collignon defeated Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(4) in the first round of the French Open 2026 on May 25.
How many aces did Raphael Collignon hit against Aleksandar Vukic?
Collignon struck 10 aces compared to Vukic’s 3, giving him a significant serving advantage throughout the match.
Who won the French Open 2026 first round match between Collignon and Vukic?
Raphael Collignon won in straight sets, dominating with a 77% first serve win percentage and converting 6 of 10 break points.
What were the unforced errors for Collignon and Vukic at French Open 2026?
Aleksandar Vukic committed 44 unforced errors, while Raphael Collignon kept his mistakes to just 28, a 16-error difference that proved decisive.
What’s Next
Collignon advances to the second round at Roland Garros, where he’ll await the winner of another first-round match. With this performance, he’ll carry confidence that his game translates effectively to clay, despite limited experience on the surface.
Follow all results: French Open 2026.
Head-to-head history: Aleksandar Vukic vs Raphael Collignon.
