Jodar, Fonseca Reach French Open QFs in Five-Set Thrillers
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- Rafael Jodar came back from two sets down to defeat Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2, advancing to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Roland Garros.
- Joao Fonseca beat two-time runner-up Casper Ruud 7-5, 7-6 (8), 5-7, 6-2, becoming the first Brazilian man to reach the French Open quarterfinals since Gustavo Kuerten in 2004.
- Gustavo Kuerten attended Fonseca’s match courtside, cheering visibly and emotionally, after previously supporting him during his junior debut at Roland Garros in 2022.
- Jakub Mensik advanced to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal by defeating Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, becoming the youngest Czech man in that stage since Ivan Lendl in 1980.
- Fonseca and Mensik both endured multiple five-set matches en route to the quarterfinals, with Fonseca calling it a 'new experience' and saying 'it's all heart.'
Why it matters: The rise of four young quarterfinalists — Jodar, Fonseca, Mensik, and Zverev as an established contender — shifts focus to a new generation in men’s tennis, with three of the four under 21 and all having overcome significant physical and competitive strain to reach this stage. This marks a rare moment where emerging players, not defending champions or top seeds, are driving the narrative at a major.
