Roland-Garros 2026: 10 matches that defined the tournament

Kouame vs Vallejo – 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6[10-8] – second round

Parisians will remember this day for years to come. The 17-year-old French wildcard Moise Kouame defied experience and ranking to dismiss world No.71 Adolfo Daniel Vallejo accompanied by a carnival atmosphere on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The shot-making was world class and the home charge’s celebrations whipped the crowd up into chants of “Merci, Mo-ise!” it was a special moment, launching a new star on to the global stage in style.

Shnaider vs Sabalenka – 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 – quarterfinal

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka was seemingly storming back into the Roland-Garros semifinals at 6-3, 4-1 up on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

However, an inspired Diana Shnaider dealt with the swirling wind with consummate ease and turned the tables, reeling off 12 of the final 13 games to complete a monumental shock.

Fonseca vs Djokovic – 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 – third round

This blockbuster third round promised a firecracker and it delivered. Novak Djokovic, in the pursuit of an unprecedented 25th major, launched into a 3-1 lead in the decider. Surely the Serbian would advance?

No, Brazil’s wunderkind Joao Fonseca unleashed his full power and was bold in the pressure points to take victory from the four-hour and 53-minute thriller. Fonseca finished with three aces to become the first teenager to beat the all-conquering Serbian at a Grand Slam.

The crowd was pumping – so was the tennis, the atmosphere, the moment – it was electric.

Kostyuk vs Svitolina  - 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 – quarterfinal

This was a particularly poignant occasion on Court Philippe-Chatrier as Marta Kostyuk overcame her compatriot Elina Svitolina in a high-octane clash.

Kostyuk powered her way into a maiden Grand Slam semifinal but was pushed all the way.

The Ukrainian pair were chatting and joking together backstage but managed to put their friendship aside to mark the first time in the Open era that two women representing Ukraine had gone head-to-head in the last eight of a singles major, which turned out to be a superb encounter.

Ruud vs Paul – 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(4), 7-5 – third round

Under the lights on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, two-time Roland-Garros runner-up Casper Ruud refused to be beaten.

The Norwegian erased two match points deep in the fourth set and was hitting shots from all sorts of angles and depths to complete his third career triumph from two sets down at a Grand Slam.

Starodubtseva vs Rybakina – 3-6, 6-1, 7-6[10-4] – second round

Only four years ago, Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva was coaching at a tennis club in a suburb of New York city, USA.

Over to RG 2026 and the world No.55 was previously 0-6 in bouts with top-10 talent, but she elevated her level to take down a frontrunner for the title with clutch tennis in the decisive tiebreak.

Mensik vs Navone – 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6[13-11] – second round

It took four hours and 41 minutes, and eight match points, but No.26 seed Jakub Mensik illustrated his vast potential by eventually getting over the line against the Argentine.

The Czech fell to the floor in exhaustion, cramping too, as Navone walked round the net to congratulate him after a gruelling battle.

Osaka vs Jovic – 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-4 - third round

The gold sequins on the custom outfit shimmered in the sunshine as former world No.1 Naomi Osaka “probably” played her best-ever clay court match.

American youngster Iva Jovic is one of the most exciting prospects on tour, but it was Osaka who produced her finest Roland-Garros showing to date with a box-office display.

Arnaldi vs Tiafoe – 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 - fourth round

For so many reasons it was devastating Matteo Arnaldi couldn’t take to court for his semifinal against Flavio Cobolli; the Italian had given so much already this tournament.

“This is definitely the best match I ever played,” Arnaldi declared having reeled in Tiafoe from 1-4 down in the decider of a sensational encounter. Both played their part in a thriller ending just gone 1am in Paris.

The five hours and 26-minute epic was boosted by a vociferous crowd too.

Baptiste vs Krejcikova – 6-7(7), 7-6(6), 6-2 – first round

Hailey Baptiste simply never backs down. Cast your mind back to Madrid two months ago where the American powerhouse beat world No.1 Sabalenka by saving six match points.

Across to Roland-Garros 2026 and Baptiste was repeating that trick, dissolving two match points for RG 2021 champion Barbora Krejcikova in an absorbing tussle.