Who Is Emiliana Arango? Colombia’s Rising Tennis Star Making Waves on the WTA Tour

Paris, France—Colombia’s Emiliana Arango continues to rewrite her tennis story at Roland Garros 2025, booking a second-round showdown with rising Chinese star Qinwen Zheng after a gritty 6-0, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Filipino prodigy Alexandra Eala in Sunday’s opening round. The 23-year-old from Medellín arrived in Paris ranked No. 74, already the highest-ranked Colombian woman since Fabiola Zuluaga, and she is making the most of her main-draw debut on the Parisian clay. Arango’s trademark heavy topspin forehand and fearless shot selection overwhelmed Eala in a 25-minute first set, and after weathering the teenager’s comeback in the second, the South American steadied her nerves to seize the decider in one hour 48 minutes. Next up is world No. 7 Qinwen Zheng, a matchup most predictive models heavily favor the Chinese contender to win—StatsInsider’s 10,000-simulation preview gives Zheng a 92 percent edge. Yet Arango, who toppled former Top-20 player Anastasia Potapova on clay earlier this spring, has made a habit of confounding the odds. “I have nothing to lose,” Arango said after her first-round win. “The pressure is on Zheng; I’m here to enjoy every minute on Court Suzanne-Lenglen and fight for my country.” The Colombian already owns nine ITF titles, but a second-round appearance in a Grand Slam would be a career first—and propel her inside the live Top 65. A victory would also mark Colombia’s best women’s singles result at Roland Garros since Zuluaga’s 2004 quarter-final run. Arango credits a revamped fitness regimen and the guidance of Spanish coach Jordi Arrese for her surge. “We focused on explosive movement and patience—two keys on red clay,” she noted. Wednesday’s clash promises contrasting styles: Arango’s loopy, high-net-clearance groundstrokes versus Zheng’s flat, baseline-hugging power. Expect longer rallies and strategic variety as both players chase a spot in the last 32. Weather forecasts call for mild conditions with slower courts in the late afternoon, factors that could favor Arango’s topspin-heavy game. Fans in Colombia can watch live on Win Sports from 6 p.m. local time, while international streaming is available via the WTA’s broadcast partners. Ticket holders in Paris should arrive early; organizers project near-capacity crowds after Arango’s breakthrough win stirred buzz on social media and within the Latin American community. Key Match Facts • Head-to-Head: First meeting • Court: Suzanne-Lenglen, Wednesday, not before 3 p.m. CET • Betting Line: Arango +1400 / Zheng –3300 (TAB) • Live Ranking Impact: Arango can climb to No. 61 with an upset Whether or not the Colombian produces another shock, Emiliana Arango has already stamped her arrival on the sport’s biggest stage, and a nation long starved for women’s tennis headlines will be watching her every swing.