Day eight at Roland Garros saw three teenagers reach the quarter-finals as the draw continued to open up, as another former finalist crashed out, as the new generation continued to push away established names.
João Fonseca backed up his stunning win over Novak Djokovic by taking down two-time finalist Casper Ruud, while Jakub Menšík survived another five-set war against Andrey Rublev to set up a blockbuster quarter-final between two of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Elsewhere, Rafael Jodar continued his extraordinary rise from outside the Top 700 a year ago to the last eight in Paris, recovering from two sets down against Pablo Carreno Busta, while Alexander Zverev quietly cemented his status as title favorite with another commanding performance.
Day Eight French Open 2026 Round of 16 Results
| Winner | Loser | Do |
|---|---|---|
| João Fonseca (28) | Casper Ruud (15) | 7-5 7-6(8) 5-7 6-2 |
| Jakub Mensik (26) | Andrey Rublev (11) | 6-3 7-6(6) 4-6 2-6 6-3 |
| Rafael Jodar (27) | Pablo Carreno Busta | 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 |
| Alexander Zverev (2) | Jesper De Jong (LL) | 7-6(3) 6-4 6-1 |
Summary of the match
Alexander Zverev (2) def. Jesper De Jong 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-1
Alexander Zverev recovered from a sluggish start to power past lucky loser Jesper De Jong to book his place in the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the sixth consecutive year.
De Jong came out swinging on Court Philippe-Chatrier and raced into a surprising 3-0 lead as Zverev struggled to find rhythm early on. But once the German settled into the match, the momentum changed decisively.
Zverev dominated from the baseline after taking the tie-break in the opening set, gradually wearing down the world number 106 with his heavier groundstrokes and superior serves. The second seed converted four of seven break points and eventually cruised through the final set in just over two hours.
With so many seeds already eliminated from the draw, Zverev remains one of the clear favorites for the title and is now just three wins away from a first Grand Slam crown.
If he continues to serve well like today (75% first serve, 81% first serve points won) he certainly has a chance if he doesn’t over think it.
In the beginning it was a little difficult. I didn’t start strong and he started really fast and really well. But once I found my rhythm I felt very comfortable on the track and that’s the most important thing for me. I feel my game is there, now it’s time to show it on the pitch. Zverev on his win.
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Jesper De Jong | Alexander Zverev |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 19 | 43 |
| Unforced errors | 23 | 26 |
| Ace | 3 | 4 |
| Double mistake | 4 | 2 |
| 1st serving % | 67% (55/82) | 75% (63/84) |
| 1st Serve point won | 67% (37/55) | 81% (51/63) |
| 2nd serve point won | 33% (9/27) | 62% (21/13) |
| Breakpoints saved | 43% (3/7) | 50% (1/2) |
| Service game | 71% (10/14) | 93% (14/15) |
| 1st return point won | 19% (12/63) | 33% (18/55) |
| 2nd return point won | 38% (8/21) | 67% (18/27) |
| Break point won | 50% (1/2) | 57% (4/7) |
| Pressure points | 44% (4/9) | 56% (5/9) |
| Service points | 56% (46/82) | 76% (64/84) |
| Return points | 24% (20/84) | 44% (36/82) |
| Net points | 61% (19/31) | 76% (29/38) |
| Total points | 40% (66/166) | 60% (100/166) |
| Max points in a row | 5 | 14 |
| Game won | De Jong | Zverev |
| Service game | 71% (10/14) | 93% (14/15) |
| Return game | 7% (1/15) | 29% (4/14) |
| Total game | 38% (29/11) | 62% (18/29) |
| Max games in a row | 3 | 5 |
Highlights
Rafael Jodar (27) def. Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2
Rafael Jodar continued his rise on clay at Roland Garros, rallying from two sets down to defeat compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta and reach the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career.
The 19-year-old looked to be in serious trouble after dropping the first two sets to the experienced former Top Tenner, who used his consistency and backhand depth to great effect early on. However, the match completely turned around when Jodar started playing with more patience and intensity from the baseline.
Carreno Busta’s level also dropped physically as the contest went on, with the Spaniard needing treatment on his right shoulder after the third set. Jodar took the chance immediately and never let the momentum swing back.
The teenager stormed through the final three sets to improve to 3-0 in deciding sets this tournament, becoming just the fifth man this century to reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals on debut, joining Juan Carlos Ferrero, Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune.
Jodar was ranked outside the Top 700 this time last year, and I had never even seen him play, but the Spaniard has exploded in the 2026 clay season with a title in Marrakech, deep runs in Madrid and Rome, and now a maiden Slam quarterfinal in Paris.
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Rafael Jodar | Pablo Carreno Busta |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 44 | 38 |
| Unforced errors | 53 | 60 |
| Ace | 3 | 3 |
| Double mistake | 3 | 3 |
| 1st serving % | 66% (97/146) | 70% (90/129) |
| 1st Serve point won | 69% (67/97) | 61% (55/90) |
| 2nd serve point won | 55% (27/49) | 38% (15/39) |
| Breakpoints saved | 71% (10/14) | 27% (3/11) |
| Service game | 82% (18/22) | 62% (21/13) |
| 1st return point won | 39% (35/90) | 31% (30/97) |
| 2nd return point won | 62% (24/39) | 45% (22/49) |
| Break point won | 73% (8/11) | 29% (4/14) |
| Pressure points | 72% (18/25) | 28% (7/25) |
| Service points | 64% (94/146) | 54% (70/129) |
| Return points | 46% (59/129) | 36% (52/146) |
| Net points | 54% (15/28) | 67% (12/18) |
| Total points | 56% (153/275) | 44% (122/275) |
| Max points in a row | 8 | 8 |
| Service game | 82% (22/18) | 62% (21/13) |
| Return game | 38% (8/21) | 18% (4/22) |
| Total game | 60% (26/43) | 40% (17/43) |
| Max games in a row | 5 | 9 |
Highlights
Joao Fonseca (28) def. Casper Ruud (15) 7-5, 7-6(8), 5-7, 6-2
João Fonseca continued his run and backed up his stunning win over Novak Djokovic with another statement win, defeating two-time finalist Casper Ruud to reach the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career.
Just two days after recovering from two sets down to eliminate Djokovic, the 19-year-old Brazilian again showed great composure on the biggest stage, combining explosive forehands with superb defense to survive a super-solid clay court.
The match was a close affair, with both players finishing on 51 winners and 52 unforced errors, but Fonseca proved superior in the crucial moments.
The turnaround came in a dramatic tie-break in the second set where the Brazilian saved three Ruud set points after missing two chances of his own.
There was also a controversial phone call, with fans criticizing the absence of Hawkeye. With Ruud leading, 8-7, Fonseca hit a line drawing forehand (Ruud missed his shot, and a fan called out). The referee checked the marker but couldn’t see a gap, so Fonseca took the point. Hakweye showed it was out. So at any other Slam, Ruud won the set.
I disagree though, as Hawkeye isn’t infallible on clay, so I don’t think it’s an injustice, and Ruud didn’t object to the call.
Ruud briefly threatened another trademark comeback by clinching the third set, but Fonseca responded immediately by racing into a 5-1 lead in the fourth as Ruud’s energy faded before he confidently served it out.
It was tough. Casper plays well here. He is a very experienced guy and he knows how to play here on this great pitch. He has two finals, so it was tough at the beginning, but I played really well in the important moments in the first and second sets. I was very happy about that Fonseca on his winnings.
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Ruud | Fonseca |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 51 | 51 |
| Unforced errors | 52 | 52 |
| Ace | 7 | 2 |
| Double mistake | 4 | 0 |
| 1st serving % | 74% (117/159) | 73% (103/141) |
| 1st Serve point won | 67% (78/117) | 72% (74/103) |
| 2nd serve point won | 52% (22/42) | 61% (23/38) |
| Breakpoints saved | 69% (9/13) | 78% (7/9) |
| Service game | 82% (18/22) | 91% (20/22) |
| 1st return point won | 28% (29/103) | 33% (39/117) |
| 2nd return point won | 39% (15/38) | 48% (20/42) |
| Break point won | 22% (2/9) | 31% (4/13) |
| Pressure points | 50% (22/11) | 50% (22/11) |
| Service points | 63% (100/159) | 69% (97/141) |
| Return points | 31% (44/141) | 37% (59/159) |
| Net points | 74% (31/42) | 68% (28/41) |
| Total points | 48% (144/300) | 52% (156/300) |
| Max points in a row | 6 | 7 |
| Service game | 82% (22/18) | 91% (20/22) |
| Return game | 9% (2/22) | 18% (4/22) |
| Total game | 45% (20/44) | 55% (24/44) |
| Max games in a row | 2 | 4 |
Highlights
Jakub Menšík (26) def. Andrey Rublev (11) 6-3, 7-6(6), 4-6, 2-6, 6-3
Jakub Menšík survived another five-setter, this time against Andrey Rublev, to reach his first career Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros.
The 20-year-old Czech looked in full control after taking the first two sets on Court Philippe-Chatrier, using his heavy serve and fearless shot-making to repeatedly break Rublev from the baseline.
However, the match turned in the third and fourth sets as Rublev increased his intensity and Menšík’s level dropped physically. The Russian broke serve four times over the two sets and attacked relentlessly from both wings as the Czech began to struggle behind her first serve.
By the fifth, Rublev looked the overwhelming favourite, but it looks like the Navone win has given Menšík plenty of belief, and he regrouped impressively in the decider. The fifth set was tense and tight throughout before the Czech made the decisive breakthrough at 4-3 with the only break of the set.
Serving for the match at 5-3, Menšík saved a break point with a huge unreturned serve before sealing victory with his 13th ace after nearly four hours on court.
Match statistics
| Key statistics | Jakub Menšík | Andrey Rublev |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance relationship | 1.08 | 0.92 |
| Winner | 69 | 45 |
| Unforced errors | 65 | 36 |
| Ace | 13 | 8 |
| Double mistake | 9 | 4 |
| 1st serving % | 65% (100/153) | 63% (105/168) |
| 1st Serve point won | 77% (77/100) | 70% (74/105) |
| 2nd serve point won | 43% (23/53) | 49% (31/63) |
| Breakpoints saved | 67% (10/15) | 78% (14/18) |
| 1st return point won | 30% (31/105) | 23% (23/100) |
| 2nd return point won | 51% (32/63) | 57% (30/53) |
| Break point won | 22% (4/18) | 33% (5/15) |
| Pressure points | 42% (14/33) | 58% (19/33) |
| Service points | 65% (100/153) | 63% (105/168) |
| Return points | 38% (63/168) | 35% (53/153) |
| Net points | 76% (25/33) | 56% (10/18) |
| Total points | 51% (163/321) | 49% (158/321) |
| Max points in a row | 7 | 12 |
| Service game | 80% (20/25) | 83% (19/23) |
| Return game | 17% (4/23) | 20% (5/25) |
| Total game | 50% (24/48) | 50% (24/48) |
| Max games in a row | 3 | 4 |
Highlights
French Open 2026 Day 9 Round of 16 matches
- Flavio Cobolli (10) v. Zachary Svajda — Court Philippe Chatrier
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (4) v Alejandro Tabilo — Court Philippe Chatrier
- Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs. Matteo Berrettini — Court Suzanne Lenglen
- Frances Tiafoe (19) vs Matteo Arnaldi — Court Suzanne Lenglen
