Roland Garros 2026 Day 7 begins on Saturday, 30 May, with the men’s draw in magnificent disarray. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is gone. Three-time Roland Garros champion Novak Djokovic was sent packing on Friday evening in a five-set epic. For the first time since 1968, not a single former Grand Slam men’s champion remains in the draw — and the French Open is guaranteed to crown a maiden major winner.
Fonseca Thunders Past Djokovic in Roland Garros 2026 Epic
The match that will be talked about for years ended just before midnight on Friday. João Fonseca, a 19-year-old from Rio de Janeiro ranked World No.30, outlasted Novak Djokovic in a breathless five-set contest, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 over four hours and 53 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Down two sets to love, Fonseca found a level that seemed beyond him. He dominated the third set, clawed back in the fourth and fifth to complete one of the great upsets in recent major history. The Brazilian became the first teenager to complete back-to-back comebacks from two sets down in 30 years of Grand Slam tennis — and the first teenager since Michael Chang beat Ivan Lendl at this very tournament in 1989 to defeat a former men’s singles champion from that position.
“I just played, I just enjoyed, and what a pleasure it was,” Fonseca said in his post-match interview, grinning broadly at 15,000 fans who had stayed until the end.
Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, had returned to Paris as the only former major winner left in the draw after Sinner’s shock exit earlier in the week. Now he too is gone. For the first time since 1968, no former Grand Slam champions will feature in the men’s round of 16 at a major.
Sinner’s Roland Garros 2026 Nightmare — The Cramps That Changed Everything
Before Djokovic fell, the tournament had already been rocked by the departure of its top seed. As we reported when it happened, Jannik Sinner’s bid for a maiden French Open title ended in agonising fashion at the hands of Argentinian Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Day 5.
Sinner had been one game from victory, leading 5-1 in the third set, when crippling cramps struck. The world No.1 could barely move as Cerundolo — ranked 56th in the world — capitalised ruthlessly, reeling off 18 of the final 20 games to win 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1. It remains one of the most dramatic reversals of fortune Roland Garros has ever witnessed.
Cerundolo and his brother Francisco — also in the draw — became the first pair of siblings to reach the third round of a major since Alexander and Mischa Zverev in 2018. The Cerundolo brothers are putting Argentina on notice at the French Open.
Ben Shelton also crashed out, leaving the top half of the draw without a recognised big name. With Sinner and Djokovic both eliminated, the Roland Garros 2026 title is up for grabs.
Roland Garros 2026 Day 7 — The Matches You Cannot Miss Today
Saturday is packed with compelling fourth-round action on all courts. In the women’s draw, No.1 seed Aryna Sabalenka faces Daria Kasatkina, while No.4 seed Coco Gauff continues her quest for a maiden Roland Garros crown. But the match of the day may just be Madison Keys (9) against Victoria Mboko (19) on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
Keys is in imperious form and loving the baking Paris heat. “I love it; I love it so much,” she said. “I can’t remember a Roland-Garros where it was this hot for this many days.” Growing up in Florida, the 31-year-old Australian Open champion thrives in conditions that have wilted her rivals.
Her opponent, 19-year-old Canadian Mboko, is the world No.9 and working with renowned coach Wim Fissette. She is also reportedly set to partner none other than Serena Williams at Queen’s Club next week. On Court Philippe-Chatrier, the first match features Flavio Cobolli (10) against American Learner Tien (18) — another clash of young guns. Naomi Osaka and 17-year-old Iva Jovic clash on Suzanne-Lenglen, while French wildcard Moise Kouame — a 17-year-old Parisian ranked 318th in the world — faces Alejandro Tabilo after his extraordinary five-set debut win.
Who Will Win the French Open 2026? The Field Is Wide Open
The chaos is glorious. Without Sinner and Djokovic, the men’s title is genuinely anyone’s. Fonseca has the momentum, the crowd, and a draw that suddenly looks extremely navigable. Juan Manuel Cerundolo has already beaten the world No.1; Flavio Cobolli is a consistent performer on clay at 24; Learner Tien is a 20-year-old American with the attitude of a champion.
On the women’s side, Sabalenka is the favourite — she has been formidable throughout the first week — with Gauff always capable of finding another gear at a Grand Slam. After a fascinating draw, the quarter-finals are taking shape beautifully.
Roland Garros 2026 is delivering drama at every turn. Paris has torn up its script, and we are all the better for it. Follow all the action on LBRD Sports.
