Roland Garros 2026: Iga Swiatek Crashes Out; Mensik, Fonseca Storms Into Last Eight

Published 1 June 2026 · sports

Roland Garros 2026: Iga Swiatek Crashes Out; Mensik, Fonseca Storms Into Last Eight Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 08:57 IST Swiatek is out

Roland Garros 2026: Iga Swiatek Crashes Out; Mensik, Fonseca Storms Into Last Eight Published By, Last Updated: June 01, 2026, 08:57 IST Swiatek is out, Sinner is gone, and Roland Garros has been blown wide open. As Osaka prepares for Sabalenka, a new generation is charging toward history. Rapid Read (Credit: AP) The old guard is fading, and a new era may be beginning in Paris with a handful of fresh stars suddenly staring at a realistic shot at Grand Slam glory. The biggest earthquake came in the women’s draw, where four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek crashed out in the fourth round. The Pole, who has dominated clay courts for much of the past decade, suffered a surprise 7-5, 6-1 defeat to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. The result ended Swiatek’s hopes of reclaiming the Roland Garros crown she last won in 2024 and further underlined her recent struggles on her favourite surface.

After dropping serve repeatedly following a promising start, the third seed never recovered as Kostyuk stormed into her first French Open quarter-final. Kostyuk will now face compatriot Elina Svitolina in an all-Ukrainian last-eight clash after Svitolina fought back from a set down to beat Belinda Bencic. Sabalenka-Osaka Showdown Headlines Women’s Draw Attention now shifts to one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will take on four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a blockbuster fourth-round encounter. Osaka has reached the Roland Garros last 16 for the first time in her career and looks increasingly comfortable on clay after years of struggling on the surface. Their meeting will be just the fourth of their careers, with Sabalenka winning both of their previous encounters this season. New Faces Seizing Their Moment The men’s draw has undergone a similar transformation following the shock exits of several top contenders, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Twenty-year-old Czech star Jakub Mensik battled past Andrey Rublev in a dramatic five-set contest to reach the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career. His reward is a clash with Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca, who continues to light up Paris. After stunning Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament, Fonseca added another huge scalp by defeating two-time French Open finalist Casper Ruud. The teenager hammered 51 winners in a fearless display and later summed up his approach simply: “I just try to be me on court, try to be happy, try to hit winners, try to hit good shots, try to be entertaining." Elsewhere, Spanish teenager Rafa Jodar continued his dream debut campaign. After rallying from two sets down to beat veteran compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, the 19-year-old booked a quarter-final meeting with second seed Alexander Zverev. With Swiatek out, Sinner gone and several first-time quarter-finalists still standing, Roland Garros suddenly feels more unpredictable than it has in years.