PARIS/WASHINGTON, May 27, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic continued his campaign to become the first player – man or woman – to reach 25 Grand Slam titles with his second-straight win over a French opponent at this year’s Roland-Garros.
On Wednesday, under sunny skies and with temperatures hitting 31 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) by mid-afternoon on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the World No. 4 Djokovic advanced to the third round at Roland-Garros for the 21st consecutive year and extended his winning streak against French opponents to 31 in a row with his 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3 victory over Valentin Royer, in three hours and 44 minutes.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
Royer survived a 17-shot rally to fight off the first match point at 6-5 in the third set, in favor of the No. 3 seed from Serbia. Then, he went on to win the third-set in tie-break 9-7, a set that lasted an hour and 11 minutes and prolonged the second-round match. As it turned out, it would take another 65 minutes before the outcome was certain.
Finally, Djokovic closed out the victory with a trio of aces (Nos. 8, 9 and 10) and won on his fifth match-point opportunity, after Royer denied him three more times during the final game. The last game of the match extended to 12 points and included three deuce points. Djokovic wrapped up the victory more than an hour after his first match point during the third set, after capturing one last and inspiring 18-shot rally.
Novak gets over the finish line 🏁#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/WmcCUwfFcC
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
By the conclusion, Djokovic finished with 46 winners – including 10 aces – and won 78 percent (69 of 89) of his first-serve points. He saved five of seven break points he faced from Royer and converted six of nine break points. Djokovic outpointed his opponent 133-111.
In defeating Royer, Djokovic kept Royer from earning the first Top-10 win of his career while collecting his 103rd career Roland-Garros triumph – second-most behind Rafael Nadal’s 112.
🗣️🇷🇸#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5uBUp7jKdr
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
“Clearly, the feelings on the court are different when you win a match, so it was a very important victory in conditions that weren’t easy for both players,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview, translated from French. “It was very hot and I think that Valentin deserves a big round of applause for his performance today.
“It was a very difficult match, a very big challenge from the start. Credit to him for winning the third set, but I feel it was my fault because I was twice a break up and [attempted] to serve for the match.”
In Friday’s third round, Djokovic will face No. 28 seed Joao Fonseca of Brazil, who was pushed to five sets by No. 72 Dino Prizmic of Croatia before prevailing with a 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 victory that took three hours and 27 minutes to decide the outcome on Court 14.
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Svitolina runs winning streak to eight, Korpatsch next
After winning the WTA 1000 title in Rome earlier this month, in which she defeating reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in the final, World No. 7 Elina Svitolina is hitting her stride on la terre battue in Paris.
On Wednesday afternoon, the 31-year-old, five-time Roland-Garros quarterfinalist from Ukraine moved a step closer to making the last eight again with her 6-0, 6-4 victory over 126th-ranked Kaitlin Quevedo of Spain, that was wrapped up in 78 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was Svitolina’s eighth-straight victory going back to the start of her title run in Rome.
That’s how you end a match 💪#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/0OQpHjyuAn
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
“It was a great match. In the first set I was playing really well, and of course you expect your opponent to step up their game,” Svitolina said during her on-court interview. “I was very happy the way that I could stay strong and brave at 4-4 – it was a really tough game – then serve it out nicely.”
After winning the opening set in bagel fashion, Svitolina broke from 4-all by converting her fifth break point in seven opportunities and served out the victory over the 20-year-old Spaniard to improve to 7-0 against opponents ranked outside the Top 100.
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“A three-setter in the first round puts you directly into fighting mode and tournament mindset,” Svitolina said during her on-court interview, looking back at her three-set, first-round win over Anna Bondar of Hungary. “But it’s nice to get a two-set win today and be into the third round.”
Svitolina won 71 percent of her first-serve points, hit 21 winners and outpointed Quevedo 65-50.
On Friday, Svitolina will play No. 95 Tamara Korpatsch of Germany, who advanced with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 upset of No. 32 seed Wang Xinyu of China, to reach the third round of a major for the first time after losing in the second round of majors on four previous occasions.
“It means a lot to me that I’m in the third round now,” Korpatsch said during her post-match news conference, quoted by the WTA Tour website. “Yeah, never before. And also, the breakthrough, the Top 100 was already really a big step.”
Around the French Open
Men:
• No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany fired 19 aces and rolled to a straight-set 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over No. 43 Tomas Machac of Czechia in one hour and 48 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier Wednesday evening for his 550th tour-level win of his career.
The World No. 3 won 85 percent (40 of 47) of his first-serve points, struck 45 winners to 17 unforced errors, converted five of 11 break-point chances and outpointed Machac 94-60 in their second career meeting.
Zverev, who is the second man on Tour to earn 30 wins this season behind Jannik Sinner (who is the Tour leader with 37), is through to the third round at Roland-Garros for the 10th time. to reach the third round at this event for the tenth time.
Next, Zverev will face No. 90 Quentin Halys of France in the third round on Friday.
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• No. 11 seed Andrey Rublev survived a three-hour-plus physical contest with Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentina that the Russian won 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), after converting his second match point on Court Simonne-Mathieu. It was the second time Rublev had played the 59th-ranked Argentine and he’s won both times.
Rublev improved to 24-3 lifetime in Grand Slam second-round matches – including a 22-match winning streak. He overcame 52 unforced errors by hitting 38 winners and took advantage of 45 unforced errors by Ugo Carabelli, who was appearing in his third Roland-Garros main draw. Rublev outpointed Ugo Carabelli 130-124.
Next, Rublev will play No. 51 Nuno Borges of Portugal, who beat No. 48 Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2, in two hours and 11 minutes on Court 12, behind 13 aces and 45 winners.
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• No. 13 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia pulled through a challenging second-round tussle with Marco Trungelliti of Argentina opening Court Suzanne Lenglen play on Wednesday replacing the match between No. 8 seed Alex de Minaur and Alexander Blockx after the young Belgian had to withdraw due to ankle injury he suffered in practice on Tuesday.
Khachanov’s 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory over Trungelliti in three hours and 45 minutes advanced him to the third round at Roland-Garros for the eighth time. He finished with 42 winners – including 10 aces – and converted six of 12 break points. Khachanov outpointed his opponent 146-127. Next, he will face 106th-ranked Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong, who defeated 238th-ranked qualifier Federico Cina of Italy, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3, to reach the third round of a major for the first time.
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• Other seeds advancing: No. 26 Jakub Mensik of Czechia, who was pushed to the limit in defeating No. 38 Mariano Navone of Argentina, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13-11) in four hours and 41 minutes – longest match of the tournament – on Court 6. After securing match point, Mensik fell to the ground and began cramping. He required medical attention to be able to stand up and walk off the court. Mensik and Navone combined to win play 327 points. Mensik finished with 60 winners but also made 85 unforced errors.
Left it all out on the court.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/d83GjYQAj5
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
Also, No. 27 seed Rafael Jodar of Spain advanced to the third round but needed four sets to put away No. 82 James Duckworth of Australia, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-5, in three hours and 22 minutes on Court 7, behind 38 winners. The 19-year-old Spanish teenager outpointed Duckworth 145-124.
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• The upsets: After playing more than four hours in his first-round match, No. 21 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain went down to defeat against No. 60 Thiago Agustin Tirante of Argentina, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-3, in two hours and 54 minutes on Court 14. Also, No. 32 Ugo Humbert fell in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8) to fellow Frenchman Quentin Halys, ranked 90th, in two hours and 58 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
Women:
• Four-time French Open champion and this year’s No. 3 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland improved to 27-0 against unranked opponents at Roland-Garros with her 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 35 Sara Bejlek of Czechia in one hour and 33 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Swiatek, who has now reached the third round of all 24 majors played this decade, hit 17 winners, converted seven of 11 break points and outpointed Bejlek 65-48. She survived a 15-minute opening game in the second set.
Iga’s second round highlights dropped ↘️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/PqG8hFbKiq
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
“It was a tricky match in terms of the rhythm, because Sara plays differently than most of the players,” Swiatek said during her on-court interview. “But I’m happy with the way I adjusted and how I was making decisions, because sometimes, yeah, it was not so obvious when to go and attack and stay back.
“But at the end I felt it pretty good.”
Next, Swiatek will play Polish teammate Magda Linette, ranked 73rd, who upset 2017 French Open champion and this year’s No. 29 seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2, in one hour and 58 minutes on Court 7. For Swiatek, facing Linette will be a blessing because she’s 0-6 lifetime against Ostapenko.
• No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan was upset by Charleston Open finalist Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine, who rallied from a set down to beat the World No. 2, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-4), in two hours and 28 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to move into the third round. It was the Ukrainian’s first Top-10 victory after going 0-6.
In her on-court interview, the 55th-ranked Starodubtseva was asked to describe her feelings. She said: “Honestly hard to describe. I’m super happy. Elena is one of the top players and has had an incredible year. I’m super proud of myself, I was able to do this today. It was a hard third set, but I got it done.”
Yuliia Starodubtseva pulled off a surprise upset, knocking Elena Rybakina out in the second round ✨🎾
Watch the highlights ⏯️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/pOCEc3YkbM
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2026
During their two-hour, 28-minute match, Starodubtseva converted five of 11 break points and took advantage of 71 unforced errors by the two-time major champion Rybakina.
“I expect [a fight] from her. She’s one of the top players,” Starodubtseva said. “You can’t be thinking it’s going to be easy today. Even at 3-0, I had a feeling it might not be that easy. … Tough match, but happy to be the winner today. …
“The crowd was very nice to me. Thank you, guys. I really felt the support today; I heard my name so many times [from the crowd].”
The victory equals Starodubtseva’s best run at Roland-Garros, in which she reached the third round last year. Next, she will face 148th-ranked qualifier Wang Xiyu of China, who advanced by injury retirement over No. 26 seed Hailey Baptiste of the United States, ahead 5-4 after 51 minutes.
Are you happy to be in Paris? 🤩#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Knmi0HFVgA
— wta (@WTA) May 27, 2026
• No. 11 seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland advanced to the third round with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over No. 63 Caty McNally of the United States in one hour and 24 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu. Appearing in her 38th Grand Slam main draw – and eighth appearance at Roland-Garros, but first since becoming a mother in 2024 – Bencic hit 14 winners and converted six of seven break points. She took advantage of 28 unforced errors by McNally and outpointed her 60-32.
Next, the World No. 11 Bencic will face No. 78 Peyton Stearns of the United States, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over No. 93 Daria Snigur of Ukraine in 68 minutes on Court 13.
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• Other seeds advancing: No. 8 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, who defeated 175th-ranked qualifier Marina Bassols Ribera of Spain, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, in one hour and 51 minutes on Court Simonne-Mathieu; and No. 15 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, who rallied to beat No. 108 Katie Volynets of the United States, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3, in two hours and 43 minutes on Court 14 for her 14th-consecutive win – all of them on clay. Also, No. 18 Sorana Cirstea of Romania, who defeated No. 81 Eva Lys of Germany 6-3, 6-0, in 63 minutes on Court 9; and No. 27 Marie Bouzkova of Czechia, who advanced over 102nd-ranked Francesca Jones of Great Britain, 6-0, 7-6 (3), in one hour and 36 minutes on Court 13.
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• The upsets: No. 13 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy, a Roland-Garros finalist two years ago, was eliminated in the second round by No. 68 Solana Sierra of Argentina, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, in two hours and 10 minutes on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Sierra hit 32 winners and overcame three breaks of her serve and five double faults. She converted four of nine break-point chances and outpointed Paolini 96-88.
RISING TO THE OCCASION!!! 💪
Solana Sierra defeats Paolini in a three set match to advance to the third round for the first time at @rolandgarros !#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/eyyy76Hos6
— wta (@WTA) May 27, 2026
Wednesday’s Roland-Garros results
Thursday’s Roland-Garros order of play
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By the numbers
• Novak Djokovic is 65-0 in the first two rounds of majors since his loss to Denis Istomin in the second round of the 2017 Australian Open.
• After the first round was completed on Tuesday, there were 25 of 32 women’s seeds remaining, while there were just 23 men’s seeds left.
“Quotable …”
“Yeah, it’s crazy to think it was that long ago. I was just 15 years old at the time. I was very little and dreaming to play here one day. It’s crazy to think that I went past so much already. I have a little daughter Skaï back at home. Married to the French guy, it’s crazy to think that!”
– World No. 7 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, during her on-court interview following her second-round win Wednesday, looking back at winning the French Open junior girls’ title 16 years ago.
