Thursday Jun 11, 2026
Thursday Jun 11, 2026
Tuesday, 2 June 2026 07:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Joao Fonseca
Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca showcased his title credentials by grinding out a four-set victory over two-time finalist Casper Ruud to book his place in the French Open quarter-finals.
The 19-year-old, who had fought back from two sets down to win his previous two matches, proved his coming-of-age third-round win over Novak Djokovic was no fluke by overpowering the 15th seed to win a bruising match 7-5 7-6 (10-8) 5-7 6-2.
It capped off another astonishing day in Paris where the next generation made their mark, with Fonseca’s fellow 19-year-old Rafael Jodar and Czech Jakub Mensik, 20, also reaching the last eight at a major for the first time.
Taken to a decider by Andrey Rublev after leading 2-0, Mensik broke the 11th seed in the eighth game of the fifth set and later saved two break points before closing out the win to set up a quarter-final meeting with Fonseca.
Spaniard Jodar will face second seed Alexander Zverev – the oldest player in his half of the draw by nearly a decade – after beating compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2.
Defending champion Gauff out of French Open
Defending champion Coco Gauff is the latest big name to exit the French Open after a third-round defeat by Anastasia Potapova.
In a match with multiple big swings of momentum, American fourth seed Gauff lost 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to Austria’s Potapova.
The win over two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff means Potapova is into the fourth round at Roland Garros for the second time.
Gauff follows men’s top seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in being knocked out in the first week in Paris.
The 22-year-old beat Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final but came into Roland Garros having not won a title in 2026.
Potapova’s magnificent defence caused problems for Gauff throughout and the 25-year-old was seen clutching her shoulder after the match, following a number of bruising rallies.
