French Open 2026 Day Two Recap

Day Two at Roland Garros introduced a mix of sturdy favourites advancing, five-set battles, and vital emotional moments on the clay.

Most notably, it marked the seemingly remaining Roland Garros appearances for 2 French favourites: Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka.

The 41-year-old Wawrinka was given a heat, heartfelt send-off by the Parisian crowd after his first-round defeat, whereas Monfils additionally bowed out within the first spherical to Hugo Gaston in one other five-setter.

On the aggressive aspect, No. 5 seed Ben Shelton impressed in straight units, Casper Ruud battled by means of a troublesome five-setter, and 19-year-old Rafael Jodar turned heads with a dominant debut win.

Right here’s a better have a look at the important thing matches from Day Two.

Day Two French Open 2026 Spherical of 128 Outcomes

Winner
Loser
Rating

Arthur Rinderknech (22)
Jurij Rodionov (Q)
7-6(5) 6-2 6-3

Matteo Berrettini
Marton Fucsovics
6-7(2) 7-5 6-1 6-2

Hubert Hurkacz
Jaume Munar
6-3 6-3 2-6 6-3

Frances Tiafoe (19)
Eliot Spizzirri
6-3 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3

Raphael Collignon
Aleksandar Vukic
6-3 6-3 7-6(4)

Ben Shelton (5)
Daniel Merida
6-3 6-3 6-4

Ugo Humbert (32)
Adrian Mannarino
6-3 6-4 6-3

Hugo Gaston (WC)
Gael Monfils (WC)
6-2 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-0

Luca Van Assche
Vilius Gaubas
6-4 6-2 2-6 7-5

Brandon Nakashima (31)
Roberto Bautista Agut
6-2 7-5 6-2

Francisco Cerundolo (25)
Botic Van De Zandschulp
6-3 6-4 6-7(9) 6-4

Wu Yibing
Marcos Giron
7-5 6-2 6-4

Flavio Cobolli (10)
Andrea Pellegrino (Q)
6-4 7-6(4) 6-3

Camilo Ugo Carabelli
Emilio Nava (Q)
7-6(10) 6-3 6-3

Mariano Navone
Jenson Brooksby
6-4 6-4 6-4

Alex De Minaur (8)
Toby Samuel (Q)
6-4 6-4 6-2

Casper Ruud (15)
Roman Safiullin (Q)
6-2 7-6(5) 5-7 0-6 6-2

Tommy Paul (24)
Rinky Hijikata
4-6 6-3 7-5 6-4

Andrey Rublev (11)
Ignacio Buse
6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 7-5

Rafael Jodar (27)
Aleksandar Kovacevic
6-1 6-0 6-4

Alex Michelsen
Alexander Shevchenko
6-2 6-4 6-2

Thanasi Kokkinakis
Terence Atmane
6-7(5) 6-2 4-6 6-3 7-5

Pablo Carreno Busta
Jiri Lehecka (12)
6-3 7-6(3) 6-3

Key Matches

Ben Shelton def. Daniel Merida 6-3 6-3 6-4

World No. 5 Ben Shelton made a robust assertion in his opening match, dispatching Spain’s Daniel Merida in straight units with a sophisticated and highly effective efficiency.

Shelton, who got here into Paris with a modest 1-3 clay report since profitable Munich, unleashed 35 winners and dominated behind his large serve (profitable 86% of first-serve factors). The American seemed snug on Court docket Suzanne Lenglen, and he can be hoping to enhance on his 4th-round look final 12 months.

His subsequent opponent can be Belgium’s Raphael Collignon, who additionally superior comfortably, which could possibly be an attention-grabbing one.

Casper Ruud def. Roman Safiullin 6-2 7-6(5) 5-7 0-6 6-2

Casper Ruud survived a rollercoaster five-set battle that lasted almost 4 hours, overcoming bodily struggles within the Paris warmth to defeat qualifier Roman Safiullin.

The Norwegian raced by means of the primary two units however then squandered 5 match factors within the third, earlier than collapsing bodily within the fourth (shedding it 0-6). He admitted to feeling dizzy and “horrible” however confirmed nice psychological resilience, regrouping and dominating the decider.

As a two-time former finalist, Ruud is aware of methods to grind at Roland Garros and I like the very fact he’s not a participant who retires on the drop of a hat. He’ll subsequent face Hamad Medjedovic, and he might want to get better shortly for that one.

Rafael Jodar def. Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-1 6-0 6-4

19-year-old Rafael Jodar delivered some of the spectacular performances of the day in his Roland Garros debut, dismantling Aleksandar Kovacevic in simply 94 minutes.

The Spaniard dropped solely 5 video games in a show of relentless aggression and confidence, underlining why he has surged into the highest 30 this season with sturdy ends in Marrakech, Madrid, and Rome.

Jodar improved to 16-3 on clay in 2026, and he’s arguably essentially the most harmful younger participant within the draw.

Thanasi Kokkinakis def. Terence Atmane 6-7(5) 6-2 4-6 6-3 7-5

Thanasi Kokkinakis (ranked World No. 855) battled again from a break down within the fifth set to defeat residence favorite Terence Atmane in a gruelling four-hour, 18-minute epic.

Kokkinakis is a little bit of a forgotten man, having had so many accidents, together with main pectoral surgical procedure, and this was solely his third match again.

The Australian at all times exhibits super coronary heart however is often on the receiving finish of robust losses (see his match vs Murray in Australia), however his efforts had been rewarded right here, breaking Atmane when the Frenchman served for the match at 5-4 within the decider. He’ll now face Pablo Carreno Busta.

Pablo Carreno Busta def. Jiri Lehecka 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3

Skilled Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta produced a superb straight-sets upset over No. 12 seed Jiri Lehecka.

I didn’t see this one coming in any respect, however Carreno Busta seemed sharp and managed all through, utilizing his clay-court nous to neutralise the Czech’s energy.

I’ve mentioned it just a few instances earlier than: PCB seemed just like the inheritor to Nadal’s clay-court dominance when he first broke by means of on tour, however he by no means fairly discovered that stage. Nevertheless, he’s nonetheless greater than succesful, as we noticed as we speak.

Highlights

French Open 2026 Day 3 Spherical of 128 Matches