Matteo Berrettini emerged from a marathon encounter at Roland Garros, outlasting Francisco Comesama in a five-set battle that stretched just over five hours. The score read 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (13) after 389 points of tension on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

Berrettini found himself on the brink more than once, including a match point against him late in the decisive breaker. He had rallied from a two-sets-to-one deficit and navigated a 10-point final-set tiebreaker, reaching match point four times before finally closing it out. At one crucial moment Comesama ran around to hit a forehand and sent it long, then later missed again at 14-13, handing Berrettini the opportunity he needed.

“I was just telling myself I deserve to be here.”

Statistically the match was brutal and brilliant in equal measure. They combined for 40 aces, and Berrettini produced 70 winners against 80 unforced errors. Across the 5 hours and 13 minutes, his average first-serve speed was recorded at 126 m.p.h.

“Francisco played an unbelievable match, he missed like two balls in five hours.”

Berrettini, now 30 and ranked 105th, has a clear narrative of interrupted potential. After a quarterfinal run at Roland Garros in 2021 he missed the clay major four straight times because of a string of injuries to his ab, ankle, hand and foot. This win, and the return to form it signals, will push him well back inside the Top 100.

“I’m really proud of the work that I’ve done to come back and to feel good again. Matteo Berrettini”

After the match he credited the crowd and his team for getting him through.

“I’m just so happy, so tired,” he said. “Grateful for this incredible team, this unbelievable crowd, under the heat, under the sun, two sets to one down, we fought through this match, guys.”

With the exit of his countryman Jannik Sinner, Berrettini arrives in the second week with renewed health and a realistic chance to advance deep at the Grand Slam.

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