Zachary Svajda became the first American man to reach the second week at this year’s Roland Garros after a draining five-set victory over Francisco Cerundolo. Svajda, who arrived in Paris with one clay win this season, moved past Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 following a pair of earlier four-set wins.

“I’m definitely shocked, surprised for sure. It hasn’t kicked in yet,” the world No. 85 told press afterwards. He reflected on his unexpected form on clay and on the meaning of the day: “I knew I would get good on the clay. I thought maybe in a few years, but I never expected right now. I’m very grateful and blessed and just taking it all in.”

Svajda said fatigue crept in after the two-set lead as Cerundolo raised his level, prompting shorter points and a tense finish. He also credited an emotional lift tied to the calendar: “It’s like I’m dreaming right now, in a dream. It’s crazy. Today was so special, too, because it’s also my dad’s birthday.”

The San Diego, Calif. native came into the tournament with a 3-7 start to the season in tour-level matches. His run in Paris will push him past his previous career-high ranking of No. 82 regardless of the outcome in his next match against Flavio Cobolli.

After the win several peers approached Svajda, including Frances Tiafoe. “He was super happy for me. He gave me a big hug. He was just talking how good I’m playing,” Svajda recalled. “He was shocked too. ‘Like, Dude, this is clay court, what’s going on?’ I’m, like, ‘Dude, I have no idea what’s going on.’ He’s a great guy. It was funny.”

Svajda leaves Paris with his best major result to date and a dramatic five-set triumph that doubled as a personal milestone.

The men’s draw at Roland Garros has shifted from a likely coronation to a free-for-all. As recently as Wednesday the top-seeded Jannik Sinner and his 31-match win streak seemed to be on course for a career Grand Slam. In the space of two days, however, Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic were all eliminated, and for the first time in the Open era there will be no major champion among the round of 16.

That sudden vacuum has turned the event into a genuine opportunity for players chasing a first major. “I’ve never seen anything like it in 20 years,” Simon wrote. “It’s going to be so fascinating to see who gets all tense and, on the contrary, who will be ready to seize their chance because there’s a huge mindset shift to be done here.” The Big T podcast has it all covered.

Thursday’s shock for Sinner injected extra belief across the field. Joao Fonseca rallied from two sets down to stun Djokovic 7-5 in the fifth in 4 hours, 53 minutes. It was just the second time that Djokovic has lost from two sets up; he is now 209-2. Later, Casper Ruud also came back from two sets down and saved two match points to beat Tommy Paul 7-5 in the fifth in 4 hours, 43 minutes. “Keep it going, good luck,” said Djokovic according to the Next Gen star.

Alexander Zverev, the No. 2 seed and a three-time major finalist, now looms as the favourite from the lower half but faces meaningful obstacles: 19-year-old Rafael Jodar, Joao Fonseca, Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev all stand in his path. Zverev dropped a set after Djokovic’s exit, found himself flustered at times, but still prevailed in four.

The top half has become a near wild west after nine seeds fell in the first two rounds; Frances Tiafoe is the only seed left in the top quarter. Among those with clear lines to the final are Felix Auger Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli, Learner Tien, 17-year-old Moïse Kouame, Raphael Collignon and Francisco Cerundolo. Others to watch include Martin Landaluce, Matteo Berrettini and Tiafoe.

Semifinals: Kouame d. Collignon; Ruud d. Zverev

Casper Ruud dug deep late into the night to overturn a two-set deficit and survive two match points, beating Tommy Paul 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-5 in four hours and 43 minutes. The No. 16 seed extended his unbeaten run against Paul at Grand Slams to 4-0 and improved to 5-2 in their overall series.

“I doubt I’ll see the courts tomorrow.”

That summed up Ruud’s fatigue after a second consecutive marathon at Roland Garros. Earlier in the event he had battled dizziness and overheating in a match that threatened his progress, and on Friday night he again had to summon reserves of energy and focus to avoid elimination.

Paul converted just two of 14 break point chances, including two opportunities at 4-5, 15-40 in the fourth set when Ruud was serving. Ruud, by contrast, went three for three on break points. Those margins proved decisive as the match swung through momentum changes and tense tiebreak moments.

“He was dominating a lot and playing very loose and aggressive, coming to the net, making my game feel uncomfortable. I didn’t really find any rhythm in his serves. I was really not even sniffing on the break points until the third set,” he told press after the clock struck midnight.

Ruud will face Joao Fonseca next. Fonseca earlier overcame Novak Djokovic from two sets down. With only three players left who have previously played in a major final, the draw has opened up notably this fortnight.

“it’s such an open tournament, which is kind of refreshing, I guess, for everyone, and to see that there will be a new slam champion in about a week or so. I think every player is aware of it,” said Ruud.

“I’m going to try to use the experiences that I’ve had of reaching far in slams to my advantage and see where that takes me, but you focus one match at a time. I have an incredible task ahead of me with a young special talent like Joao. He has already beaten top players in his career, so he knows what it takes.”

After two draining wins, Ruud suggested he would rest rather than train on an outside court the following day.