Heather Watson defeated Nicole Gibbs 5–7, 6–2, 6–2 in the first round of Roland Garros on clay, confirming her status as pre-match favourite at odds of 1.43 to Gibbs's 3.1. Watson recovered from dropping the opening set to dominate the second and third frames, establishing control on the slower surface. The British player's adjustment in the latter stages proved decisive, as Gibbs struggled to maintain the intensity that had secured her the first set. Watson's comeback victory sets up a second-round clash at the clay-court Grand Slam and demonstrates her capacity to navigate early-round adversity on her preferred surface.